Ziggy Steinberg Movies
When con man Eddie Dash (Richard Pryor) is released from prison he's told to fulfill the required 100 hours of community service as the bodyguard/escort of a recently released mental patient (Gene Wilder). It's not too long before Wilder figures out a way to make a little dough at the expense of his impaired charge. Together they manage to get involved in an inheritance scam that's loaded with troubles and trials for all. It's apparent to most viewers that the Richard Pryor appearing in this film is a far cry from the actor most have seen previously; this is the first film undertaken by Pryor following a very serious illness. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, (more)
- 1986
- R
Daniel Stern plays an up-and-coming stockbroker; Christopher Plummer is his boss; and Arielle Dombasle is the boss' wife. As a sort of litmus test for future executives, Plummer invites Stern and coworker Martin Mull for a weekend in the country. The sexy Dombasle takes a liking to Stern, who wonders if cohabiting with the boss' wife will improve his chances at promotion. This is but one element of writer/director Ziggy Steinberg's Felliniesque script, which throws in all sort of eccentrics and bizarre situations to pad out what is essentially a one-joke situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Stern, Arielle Dombasle, (more)
- 1985
- R
In this third entry in the raunchy, sophomoric comedy series, the riotous students of Angel Beach High endeavor to get even with their old nemesis Porky who is trying to force the basketball coach into throwing the championship game. It seems Coach has been on a losing streak at Porky's newest establishment, a riverboat converted into a casino. Plenty of slapstick mayhem ensues when his team rallies to save him and the big game. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Monahan, Wyatt Knight, (more)
- 1984
Navin Johnson, the consummate idiot, returns in this remake of Steve Martin's popular 1979 film The Jerk. As in the first, Johnson, the lily white adoptee of a black sharecropper sets out across the country in search of true love. This version was designed as a pilot for a TV series that never materialized. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Once again strapped for cash, Jack (John Ritter) lands a job at the flower shop where Janet (Joyce DeWitt) works as manager. Figuring that working for a friend gives him a bit of slack, Jack begins goofing off on the job. But Janet never lets friendship interfere with duty, and soon she is ordering Jack around like a lackey. Inevitably, the air gets mighty thick at the flower shop, and for a while it looks like the relationship between Jack and Janet is doomed. Former Gilligan's Island regular Natalie Schafer makes a cameo appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Volunteering his services, Bob heads to the local slammer to counsel five men about to be paroled. His efforts to reach out to these lost souls is stymied by the most outspoken of the cons, who refers to Bob as a "suit that's fat-mouthin'." Trouble is, Bob is in complete agreement. Taurean Blacque, Allen Case, Ric Mancini, Wyatt Johnson, and Bert Rosario are cast respectively as Arthur Tatum, Steve Kopelson, Al Brolio, Richard Hawkins, and Reubin Ortiz, while H.B. Haggerty makes an appearance as "The Hammer." Written by Ziggy Steinberg, "Ex-Con Job" first aired on October 1, 1977; it was followed in January of 1978 by a sequel of sorts, "Son of Ex-Con Job." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1974
With Lou Grant (Ed Asner) still melancholy over the breakup of his marriage, Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) suggests that he'd feel better if he sold his house and moved into a smaller place. As usual, Mary's helpful advice backfires when Lou rents an apartment in her own building. This episode represented one of the first directorial assignments for frequent Mary Tyler Moore Show scriptwriter James Burrows -- but not the last, not by a long shot. "Neighbors" originally aired on December 7, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
