Movie Marathon Collection: Steve Martin (Bowfinger / Parenthood / Housesitter / Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid / The Lonely Guy)

Universal has packaged this dandy film collection of actor-comedian Steve Martin's work. Is it worth it? Most definitely. Each film shows Martin's versatility, and each has great merit. Let's begin in chronological order... "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" (1982) is an early & ambitious little Martin-Carl Reiner (director) collaboration. This loving spoof of the private eye genre of old Hollywood casts Martin as Rigby Reardon (even Martin dyed his hair dark for black & white filming), whose latest case gets him up to his fedora in mystery, double-crosses, and yep, Nazi intrigue. The film's gimmick of blending Martin into scenes with actual film footage from such legendary actors as Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Alan Ladd, Vincent Price, etc., is done so well (mind you, this was years before Tom Hanks did the same in "Forrest Gump" with CGI) that it's both startling & cleverly funny. "The Lonely Guy" (1984) is an underrated little Martin film that has some something to say about "lonely guys" wandering the city in between some big laughs. Martin plays the title character who writes greeting cards, gets dumped by his girlfriend, runs into the girl of his dreams (the wonderful Judith Ivey), then proceeds to pursue, and lose her, and pursue, etc. Charles Grodin is terrific as Martin's new pal, who's just as lonely--and pathetic--as he is. "Parenthood" (1989) became a monster hit for both Martin and director Ron Howard (case in point: A hit TV series has popped up twenty years later). This time, Martin leads an excellent cast ensemble (each actor perfectly cast) about how "life is so messy" in the realm of parenting & family ties. It's both hilarious & touching. "Housesitter" (1992) pairs Martin & Goldie Hawn for the first time in sort of a modernized romantic screwball comedy about an architect (Martin) whose girlfriend (Dana Delaney) rejects his marriage proposal--and dream house he's built for her. Crushed, life goes on without her until he runs into a free-spirited "deceiver" (Hawn) who impulsively jumps at the chance to "settle in" at his abandoned home. Predictably, things get complicated from here as fake marriage, duped relatives & "pretend in-laws" add to the mix as Martin tries his best to get Hawn out of his life. Naturally, this all leads to a happy ending; but Frank Oz's deft directorial hand includes plenty of twists & turns to make it all interesting. "Bowfinger" (1999) is probably the most unusual offering, an offbeat & wacky tale about a conniving Z-grade film producer (Martin) who attempts to create a Z-grade film...without its "star" (Eddie Murphy, comically brilliant, as usual) knowing he's part of the movie! Again, Martin is aided by a first-rate cast (Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Robert Downey, Jr., etc.) in a plot that's so preposterous, it defies you not to laugh. For fans of Martin, this collection's a must!

Enjoyed all the movies really like steve acting.

I bought this collection as I wanted "Bowfinger" I have seen this movie several times and I love it. Steve Martin and Eddy Murphy at their finest and funniest. Great cast.. Also have loved "Dead men don't wear Plaid. Extremely clever movie built around all of the old 40's movies. I love the way Steve Martins comical genius works and never better in this movie. Loved Lonely Guy. Great Humor. Great collection if you are looking to laugh out loud.

For the price this is a pretty decent pack of Steve Martin films. You get Parenthood, a terrific drama/comedy with an ensemble cast. Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (my personal favorite), House Sitter, a good romantic comedy with Goldie Hawn, Bowfinger, a satire of the Hollywood film industry with Eddie Murphy, and The Lonely Guy with Charles Grodin. Three DVDs, Bowfinger is on its own disc with extras. Two films per disc for the other four films, no extras except a trailer on Dead Men. The transfers look pretty good, Bowfinger and Dead Men look the best. Of the five, only Bowfinger and Parenthood have 5.1 audio, rest are stereo. All of them are pretty funny, but The Lonely Guy is probably the weakest film. Again good value for the $.

Steve Martin Marathon time!

Bowfinger is absolutely awesome. Housesitter is like an 80's comedy filled with hope and heart - also really well done. Dead Men don't wear Plaid is kinda loosely strung together. They intercut new footage with old footage to make it look like he is interacting with actors from classic films like double indemnity. It's a nice gag, but it doesn't hold up for an entire film. The Lonely Guy is over the top but pure in that over the top nature. It works.

LOVBE STEVE MARTIN AND WHEN I SAW THIS SET, GRABBED IT RIGHT UP. ALL THE MOVIES ARE GREAT, MY FAVORITE IS "DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID". THE MADE A MOVIE THAT THEY CUT FAMOUS OLD TIME STARS INTO IT. HUMPHREY BOGART, BURT LANCASTER, FRED MCMURRAY, AND MANY, MANY MORE. THE MOVIE WAS DIRECTED BY CARL REINER IN WHICH HE ALSO HAS A SMALL PART. THIS IS A MUST HAVE COLLECTION.

Once in a while, we have a need to watch someting light and comical, and often replay a movie from our comedies collection. After watching Steve Martin's "The Pink Panter 1 & 2", I wanted other movies starring Steve Martin and found this movie marathon. This collection is just the ticket! We laugh just as hard and enjoy it just as much as when we watched the movie for the first time. Great family entertainment; Great collection!

Can't complain for the price!

arrived early, and was what I expected, no issues, thanks!!!

Not as funny as I thought it would be.