The Toy

1982

The Toy

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

9%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 11

53%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 16,447
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Movie Info

In The Toy, director Richard Donner and screenwriter Carol Sobieski update the 1976 Pierre Richard farce Le Jouet as a vehicle for comedian Richard Pryor. Pryor stars as out-of-work journalist Jack Brown, who's hit with the sudden realization that his idle book writing won't pay a 10,000-dollar sum necessary to keep his house from going to auction. Desperate, he is improbably hired as a cleaning lady in the offices of rich businessman and newspaper magnate U.S. Bates (Jackie Gleason). Running afoul of Bates' quick temper, Jack gets the axe, but is later spotted goofing around in a Bates-owned toy store by Bates' bratty son, Eric (Scott Schwartz), who's spending his annual week together with his estranged father. Taking his father's offer that he may have "anything in the store" quite literally, the spoiled kid asks for Jack as his personal toy for the week. Initially unwilling to be treated as a possession, Jack soon agrees after Bates offers to pay him enough to climb out of debt. When Eric's idea of fun includes dumping buckets of booby-trapped oatmeal on Jack's head and riding down the stairs of his father's mansion with Jack riding shotgun in a miniature car, it tests both Jack's patience and his resolve. But Jack discovers that Bates is ignoring Eric, which strengthens the bond between them and prompts them to seek revenge on the big jerk.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Richard Donner
  • Written By:
    Carol Sobieski
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Entertainment

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Cast

Richard Pryor
as Jack Brown
Jackie Gleason
as U.S. Bates
Ned Beatty
as Mr. Morehouse
Scott Schwartz
as Eric Bates
Teresa Ganzel
as Fancy Bates
Wilfrid Hyde-White
as Barkley
Annazette Chase
as Angela
Tony King
as Clifford
Don Hood
as O'Brien
Karen Leslie-Lyttle
as Fraulein
Virginia Capers
as Ruby Simpson
B.J. Hopper
as Geffran
Linda McCann
as Honey Russell
Ray Spruell
as Sen. Newcomb
Stocker Fontelieu
as District Attorney Russell
Stuart Baker-Bergen
as Aerobics Class Leader
Harold G. Herthum
Elbert Andre Patrick
as Jack's Neighbor
Orwin Harvey
as Grand Dragon
Jim Clancy
as Clancy
Davis Hotard
as Eugene Russel
Debra Cole
as Terry Gay
Marilyn Taylor Gleason
as Mrs. Newcomb
Steve Kahan
as State Trooper
Stephen Kahan
Robert M. Stevens
as Drunk in Jail
Paul Tuerpé
as State Trooper
Louis Weinberg
as Chauffeur
Lucy Campbell Rowland
as Bates' Secretary
Robert Cherry
as Man in Carwash
John R. Wilson
as Store Executive
Robert Costley
as Poker Player
Robert Earle
as Poker Player
Juan Coleman
as Poker Player
Valerian Smith
as Poker Player
Annie McGuire
as Party Guest
Beverly Tagge
as Party Guest
George Howard
as Party Guest
Helen Howard
as Party Guest
Bill Holliday
as Police
J.D. Martin
as Police
James Roddy
as Police
Delana Renay Cole
as Ruby's Child
Lewis Baker
as Ruby's Child
LaMonica Matthews
as Ruby's Child
Bruce Langley
as Ruby's Child
Dawnis Kaye Smith
as Ruby's Child
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Critic Reviews for The Toy

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (1)

View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for The Toy

  • Sep 06, 2010
    I have no idea why anyone thought it would be funny if some rich guy bought Richard Pryor as a "toy" for his son. That sounds pretty crazy, right? This movie is actually pretty funny for the most part, but it's hard to get over the stupid plot. Overall, it's okay.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2010
    Oh boy, definitely an 80s movie. The spiderman pajamas scene was the best. I want a boxing robot!
    Megan S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2009
    A lot of people don't like "The Toy" for some reason, but I did. I didn't see what's not to like about the movie. Jack (Richard Pryor) is a journalist who is trying to find a good job. Eric (Scott Schwartz) is a boy who gets everything he wants, but is struggling to get along with his father. Therefore, Eric gets his dad (Jackie Gleason) to buy Jack as his toy because that's what he wants. Jack and Eric turn out to be great friends and Jack becomes a role model for Eric and teaches him some great lessons. "The Toy" is a great movie. Parts of it are hilarious and some parts have a lot of meaning to them. I recommend anybody to get "The Toy." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Used to watch this great movie a lot.
    Jason O Super Reviewer
  • Feb 17, 2009
    Without a doubt, one of the most fucked up plots ever. A rich white boy buys a down on his luck black man and uses him as a toy? Wow.
    Shane D Super Reviewer
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