Category: Humor

“Sanford and Son”: Season 2 (1973) starring Redd Foxx & Demond Wilson / Z-View

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Sanford and Son: Season 2 (1973)

Based on: Steptoe and Son by Ray Galton, Alan Simpson
Developed by: Bud Yorkin, Norman Lear (uncredited)

Director: Peter Baldwin (Eps. 15, 19-20, 22-24, 28, 35-36, 38); Rick Edelstein (Eps. 16, 21, 25, 27, 34); Jack Shea (Eps. 17-18, 26, 29-32, 37); Sid McCoy (Ep. 33)

Teleplay: Terry Ryan (Ep. 15); Allan Katz & Don Reo (Eps. 16, 22-24, 30, 34); Richard Pryor & Paul Mooney (Eps. 17, 25); Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell (Ep. 18, 37); Ilunga Adell (credited as Adell Stevenson) (Eps. 19, 21, 26, 31, 38); Lloyd Garver & Ken Hecht (Ep. 27, 32); Lee Kalcheim and Aaron Ruben (story by Lee Kalcheim) (Ep. 28); Odie Hawkins and Aaron Ruben (story by Odie Hawkins) (Ep. 29); Aaron Ruben (story by : Ray Galton & Alan Simpson) (Ep. 33, 35-36)

Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Don Bexley, Beah Richards, Hal Williams, Nathaniel Taylor, Noam Pitlik, Dick O’Neill, Gregory Sierra, Slappy White, Davis Roberts, Marguerite Ray, Roscoe Lee Browne, Lynn Hamilton, Thalmus Rasulala, Ron Glass, William Hansen, Larry J. Blake, Howard Platt, Roger E. Mosley, Vernon Weddle, Ja’net DuBois, Liam Dunn, Kim Hamilton, Mary Wickes, Gabriel Dell, Lena Horne, John Amos, Joan Prather, Paula Kelly, Alma Beltran, James Wheaton, Maida Severn, Burt Mustin, Jonathan Harris, Herb Voland, Lincoln Kilpatrick Jr., Jack DeLeon and Kelly Thordsen.

Tagline: Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson play two guys who know the score – and how to beat the game. America, you’re in for a yock…Archie, you’re in for a shock

The Plot…

Fred Sanford (Foxx) and his son, Lamont (Wilson) are junk dealers.  Fred’s wife died years ago and Lamont stays on to assist his dad with the business.  Together they get into various misadventures as they attempt to get ahead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In its second season Sanford and Son became the 2nd highest rated show on television.  Also in its second season, Sanford and Son earned two Primetime Emmy nominations:

  • Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series – Redd Foxx

Season two saw the first appearance of semi-regulars Bubba (Don Bexley), Rollo (Nathaniel Taylor), Julio (Gregory Sierra), and Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page).

Season two notable guest stars include: Roscoe Lee Brown (The Cowboys); Ron Glass (Barney Miller); Gregory Sierra (Barney Miller); Roger E. Mosley (Magnum PI); Ja’Net DuBois (Good Times); Lena Horne; John Amos (Good Times) and Jonathan Harris (Lost in Space).

Richard Pryor co-wrote two episodes.

Sandford and Son: Season 2 (1973) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Sanford and Son”: Season 1 (1972) starring Redd Foxx & Demond Wilson / Z-View

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Sanford and Son: Season 1 (1972)

Based on: Steptoe and Son by Ray Galton, Alan Simpson
Developed by: Bud Yorkin, Norman Lear (uncredited)

Director: Bud Yorkin (Eps. 1-4); George Tyne (Ep. 5); Coby Ruskin (Ep. 6); Bob LaHendro (Ep. 7); Peter Baldwin (Ep. 8, 11 – 13); Charles S. Dubin (Eps. 9 – 10); Bruce Bilson (Ep. 14)

Teleplay: Aaron Rubin, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson (Eps. 1 – 11, 13 – 14); Everett Greenbaum, James Fritzell, Ray Galton (Ep. 12)

Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, Hal Williams, Noam Pitlik, Lynn Hamilton, White, William Lanteau, Paulene Myers, Lillian Randolph, Stanley Bennett Clay, Leonard Stone, Judyann Elder, Dick Van Patten, James Wheaton, Peter Bonerz, Gabriel Dell, Florida Friebus and Rick Hurst.

Tagline: Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson play two guys who know the score – and how to beat the game. America, you’re in for a yock…Archie, you’re in for a shock

The Plot…

Fred Sanford (Foxx) and his son, Lamont (Wilson) are junk dealers.  Fred’s wife died years ago and Lamont stays on to assist his dad with the business.  Together they get into various misadventures as they attempt to get ahead.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In its first season Sanford and Son became the 6th highest rated show on television.  Also in its first season, Sanford and Son earned three Primetime Emmy nominations:

  • Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Outstanding New Series
  • Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series – Redd Foxx

One of the running gags of the series is that in each episode Fred Sanford would find a reason to clutch his chest as if having a heart attack and proclaim, “Hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join you!”  Sadly, Redd Foxx died of a heart attack in 1991.

Fred Sanford was supposed to be 65 years old.  Redd Foxx was just 49 during filming of the first season.

Sanford and Son‘s theme music is by Quincy Jones and it is titled The Streetbeater.

Sandford and Son: Season 1 (1972) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“Mars Attacks” (1996) directed by Tim Burton / Z-View

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Mars Attacks (1996)

Director: Tim Burton

Screenplay: Jonathan Gems, Tim Burton (uncredited) based on Topps Mars Attacks! trading cards

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Lisa Marie, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Winfield, Pam Grier, Jack Black, Joe Don Baker, Christina Applegate  and Tom Jones.

Tagline: Nice planet. We’ll take it!

The Plot…

An armada of Martian ships have come to Earth.  At the first meeting between the Martian and US Ambassador and accident makes the Martians think that they are under attack.  The aliens then decide to take over the Earth.

Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tim Burton directs an all-star cast.

Tim Burton pitched the idea by showing Warner Bros. the Mars Attacks! trading cards released in 1962.  The cards featured art by Wally Wood and Norman Saunders.  The card set told of a Martian invasion of Earth.  Because the cards were aimed at the kiddie market, many parents felt that the violence was too graphic.  This led to a limited distribution.  The Mars Attacks! cards have become collector’s items.  In the 1980s, Topps revisited the Mars Attacks! by re-releasing the card set, new Mars Attacks! cards and comic books.

Mars Attacks! marks Sylvia Sidney’s final film appearance.

Although Tim Burton co-wrote the film with Jonathan Gems, but gave Gems full credit.  Jonathan Gems wrote the Mars Attacks! novelization and dedicated the book to Tim Burton.

Mars Attacks (1996) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Tango & Cash” (1989) starring Sylvester Stallone & Kurt Russell / Z-View

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Tango & Cash (1989)

Director: Andrei Konchalovsky, Albert Magnoli (uncredited)

Screenplay: Randy Feldman

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Teri Hatcher, Jack Palance, Brion James, James Hong, Marc Alaimo, Philip Tan, Michael J. Pollard, Robert Z’Dar, Lewis Arquette, Edward Bunker, Roy Brocksmith, Susan Krebs, David Byrd, Richard Fancy, Michael Jeter,  Patti Davis, Billy Blanks, Geoffrey Lewis, Benny Urquidez and Clint Howard.

Tagline: Two of L.A.’s top rival cops are going to have to work together… Even if it kills them.

The Plot…

Detectives Ray Tango (Stallone) and Gabriel Cash (Russell) are two of LA’s top narcotic cops. They have a friendly rivalry and different styles.  They don’t work together but their busts have put a dent in drug kingpin, Yves Perret’s (Palance) operation.

Perret has Tango and Cash framed, convicted and sent to prison.  Now he plans to have them murdered.

If they are to survive Tango and Cash will have to work together, escape prison and find evidence to clear their names.  Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tango & Cash had two directors.  Andrei (Runaway Train) Konchalovsky helmed most of the film. Producers wanted a lighter, funnier film.  Konchalovsky and Stallone felt a serious film with some humor would work better.  Disagreements were constant, but Konchalovsky refused to give in.  This and the movie going over-budget led to him being fired.  Albert (Purple Rain) Magnoli was brought in to finish the film.

Jeffrey (Lethal Weapon 2 & 3) did uncredited re-writes on the film.

Patrick Swayze was originally cast as Cash.  He dropped out to do Road House.

Sly’s character is asked if he stopped for “coffee and a Danish”.  He replies, “I hate Danish.” This is an in-joke as Sly had recently divorced Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen.

Both Brion James and Robert Z’Dar originally had smaller parts, but they impressed enough folks that their roles were expanded.

Geoffrey Lewis has an uncredited cameo.

Tango & Cash (1989) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Crooked Circle” (1932) starring Zasu Pitts & James Gleason / Z-View

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The Crooked Circle (1932)

Director:  H. Bruce Humberstone

Screenplay: Ralph Spence (original screenplay), Tim Whelan (additional dialogue)

Stars: Zasu Pitts, James Gleason, C. Henry Gordon, Raymond Hatton, Berton Churchill, Spencer Charters, Robert Frazer, Frank Reicher and Christian Rub.

Tagline: WHAT TIME IS IT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 13? THRILLS will creep on you-LAUGHS will leap on you! IN ZASU PITTS FIRST FEATURE PICTURE

The Plot…

The Crooked Circle, a secret group of criminals, has vowed to kill Colonel Theodore Walters.  Walters is a member of the Sphinx Club, a group of amateur detectives.

When the Sphinx Club meets at a creepy, old mansion, the Crooked Circle plan to make good on their vow.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Crooked Circle is a variation on “The Old Dark House” movies that were popular in the era.  Hidden passageways, ghosts, bad guys and a touch of comedy are staples of this genre.

Zasu Pitts and James Gleason were the top billed stars, but their characters aren’t the main focus of the film.

Zasu is her real name.  Her mother made it up taking the last two letters of Eliza and the first two letters of Susan.  Her mother’s sisters were named Eliza and Susan.

Zasu Pitts was the inspiration for Popeye’s girlfriend, Olive Oyle!

The Crooked Circle (1932) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Plane Nuts” (1933) starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine & Curly Howard / Z-View

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Plane Nuts (1933)

Director:  Jack Cummings

Screenplay: Ted Healy, Matty Brooks, Moe Howard

Stars: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Ted Healy, Curly Howard.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Ted Healy and His Stooges perform vaudeville routines with MGM dancers performing between acts.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Three Stooges before they became famous as The Three Stooges.  For die-hard Stooges fans only.

Plane Nuts (1933) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Black Raven” (1943) / Z-View

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The Black Raven (1943)

Director:  Sam Newfield

Screenplay: Fred Myton

Stars: George Zucco, Charles Middleton and Glenn Strange.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A terrible thunderstorm is raging when five people arrive at The Black Raven motel seeking shelter.  A gangster, a young couple planning to elope, the girl’s father who plans to stop the wedding, and a bank employee (with $50,000.00 that he embezzled).  In short order, the girl’s father is murdered.  The hotel’s owner, Amos Bradford (Zucco) works to solve the crime aided by his not-too-bright employee, Andy (Strange).  Andy is a huge man afraid of his own shadow.  When the Sheriff arrives looking for an escaped convict, he learns of the murder and is ready to bring in anyone to resolve the case.

Can Mr. Bradford find the killer before he strikes again?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Black Raven is an old spooky house-type story popular at the time.  It’s supposed to be a thriller/comedy.  Unfortunately it’s not that thrilling or funny.  I will give Glenn Strange (who would later play Frankenstein and even later play the bartender in the long-running series Gunsmoke) credit for giving it his all as Andy.

The Black Raven (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” starring Will Smith & Martin Lawrence – The Trailer is Here!

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The  trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die is her and looks to be a fun ride.

Deal me in.

This Summer, the world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

RELEASE DATE: June 7

CAST: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens

“Valley of the Dead” (2020) / Z-View

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Valley of the Dead (2020)

Director:  Javier Ruiz Caldera, Alberto de Toro

Screenplay: Jaime Marques Olarreaga, Alberto Fernández Arregui, Cristian Conti

Stars: Miki Esparbé, Aura Garrido, Luis Callejo

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

During  the Spanish Civil War, rival soldiers must join forces when they encounter zombies created by Nazis.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a sucker for zombie movies.  Valley of the Dead isn’t terrible.  In fact it’s better than a lot zombie flicks these days.  If you’re looking for some mindless entertainment with a touch of humor, Valley of the Dead should fit the bill.

Valley of the Dead (2020) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE” The Official Teaser Trailer is Here!

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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE | Official Teaser Trailer

The juice is loose! #Beetlejuice #Beetlejuice – Only in theaters September 6.

Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice.

Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Little Women) as Lydia Deetz and two-time Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt$ Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas) as Delia Deetz, with new cast members Justin Theroux (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, The Leftovers), Monica Bellucci (Spectre, The Matrix films), Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) in his feature film debut, with Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI) as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, At Eternity’s Gate).

Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

Burton, a genre unto himself, directs from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Wednesday), story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (The LEGO® Batman Movie), based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson. The film’s producers are Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper and Burton, with Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Gough, Millar, Brad Pitt, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, Pete Chiappetta, Andrew Lary, Anthony Tittanegro, Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg executive producing.

Burton’s creatives behind the scenes includes director of photography Haris Zambarloukos (Meg 2: The Trench, Murder on the Orient Express); such previous and frequent collaborators as production designer Mark Scruton (Wednesday), editor Jay Prychidny (Wednesday), Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sleepy Hollow), Oscar-winning creature effects and special makeup FX creative supervisor Neal Scanlan (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (Big Fish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman); and Oscar-winning hair and makeup designer Christine Blundell (Topsy-Turvy).

A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be released only in theaters and IMAX on September 6, 2024 nationwide, and internationally beginning 4 September 2024. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo” (1937) starring Warner Oland / Z-View

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Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937)

Director:  Eugene Forde

Screenplay:  Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Robert Ellis, Helen Logan

Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia Field and Sidney Blackmer

Tagline: Triple murder for high stakes! A new high in mystery excitement! And laughs, too!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in Monte Carlo.  When their cab comes upon a murder scene, they become involved in the investigation.  A messenger has been killed and the $200,000 in bonds he was delivering is missing.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This was Warner Oland’s 16th and final outing as Charlie Chan.  It was also Oland’s last film.

Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“El Conde” (2023) / Z-View

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El Conde (2023)

Director:  Pablo Larraín

Screenplay:  Pablo Larraín, Guillermo Calderón

Stars: Jaime Vadell

Tagline: Things are about to get bloody…

The Plot…

El Conde is a 250 year old vampire who is ready to die. His children who aren’t vampires are ready to help him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I tapped out after 42 minutes.  Your mileage may vary.  El Conde currently has a 6.4/10 rating, while on Rotten Tomatoes it is at 82% out of 116 reviews and a65% audience score.

El Conde (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.

RIP: Richard Lewis

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Richard Lewis, the stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer, died of a heart attack on February 27th.

Mr. Lewis began his stand-up career in 1971 while working at an advertising agency during the day.  David Brenner saw Richard Lewis’ act and helped to promote him.  By the mid-70s, Lewis was becoming well-known thanks to his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and publications such as the New York Daily News.  Richard Lewis made his acting debut in Diary of a Young Comic.  He would go on to act on television, in feature films and stand-up for the remainder of his career.

Some of Richard Lewis’ television work includes: Diary of a Young Comic; The 416th; House Calls; Riptide; Harry (7 episodes); Anything But Love (56 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show; Daddy Dearest (13 episodes); Tales from the Crypt; Hiller & Diller (13 episodes); Rude Awakening (6 episodes); Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm; Alias; Two and a Half Men; 7th Heaven (9 episodes); The Dead Zone; Las Vegas; George Lopez; The Simpsons; Everybody Hates Chris; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; The Cleaner; ‘Til Death (3 episodes); Blunt Talk (6 episodes) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (41 episodes).

Some of Richard Lewis’ feature film work includes: The Wrong Guys; That’s Adequate; Once Upon a Crime; Robin Hood: Men in Tights; Wagons East; Leaving Las Vegas; The Maze and Vamps.

I was a fan of Richard Lewis.  It was always cool to see him show up in a television show or movie. ‘

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Lewis’ family, friends and fans.

“Attack of the Hollywood Cliches!” (2021) hosted by Rob Lowe / Z-View

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Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021)

Directors:  Sean Doherty, Ricky Kelehar, Alice Mathias

Writers:  Dane Baptiste, Ben Caudell, Sean Doherty

Stars: Rob Lowe, Andie MacDowell

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Rob Lowe hosts an exploration of movie cliches like the hero walking calmly away as something behind him explodes, one-man super-soldiers, kissing in the rain, a character coming from the grocery store always has a loaf of French bread sticking out of the bag and more.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A harmless way to spend an hour.

Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! (2021) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Grandma’s Boy” (1922) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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Grandma’s Boy (1922)

Director:  Fred C. Newmeyer

Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, Jean Havez, H.M. Walker

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young

Tagline: See the boy who shied at his shadow shake off his fear and capture a desperate criminal, subdue a bully and—oh, most courageous thing of all!—win the girl of his heart

The Plot…

Grandma’s Boy aka Harold Lloyd has grown up believing he’s a coward.  He’s afraid to tell His Girl (Davis) that he loves her.  He’s even more afraid of the rival for her affection.  When a tramp comes to town causing trouble, the men of the town go looking for him.  Grandma tells Harold a story about his Grandpa.  She then gives him Grandpa’s lucky charm that will provide him with courage.  Harold then goes off to prove himself a hero by confronting the tough tramp.  Little does Harold know that Grandma made up the story about Grandpa and the lucky charm

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Grandma’s Boy was Harold Lloyd’s first full length feature.  It was one of the top grossing movies of 1922.

Grandma’s Boy (1922) rates 3 of 5 stars.