48 reviews
Campy as heck
This is not the type of movie you watch for the clever plot and well-defined characters. This is a cheap, bawdy comic romp to be enjoyed with the fellas at a weekend get-together or at a bachelor party. Where else can you see a nubile young Fran Drescher wearing next to nothing and James Brown urging a crowd of scantily clad dancers to "get up offa that thang" in the same movie?
Nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment, especially since Dr. Detroit doesn't pretend to be anything else.
Nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment, especially since Dr. Detroit doesn't pretend to be anything else.
Silly comedy
Dan Ackroyd in his prime essays the role of DOCTOR DETROIT, a comic superpimp. In his regular life, Doctor Detroit is a meek college professor right out of a Golden Era slapstick comedy like Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby" or Gary Cooper in "Ball of Fire" or even Danny Kaye in the remake, "A Song Is Born." Why and how the professor turns into this larger-than-life, scratchy-voiced pimp is what the movie is all about. And in the end, the Doctor must face down Mom, a notorious gangster. Problem with the movie is Ackroyd was not scheduled to play the role. If memory serves, it was John Belushi, who had died rather suddenly. So Ackroyd steps in to save the day, except he simply isn't funny as the Doctor. He is fine as the professor, however. Ackroyd's soon-to-be, real-life wife Donna Dixon is his love interest.
- ctomvelu-1
- Jul 8, 2008
- Permalink
Another guilty pleasure!!!
Dan Aykroyd on early steps of this outstanding career, came out with this weird comedy over an adjusted guy from upper class, he was involved by a rogue crook as cruel new partner called Doctor Detroit in a scort services, it's seems foolish at first sight but absolutely isn't, then to help those marvelous girls he becomes on a dual task from different purposes.
He has to coexist in both sides of the his life, having to assist his father to get a cash donation to saves this father's centenary school, but all things mix up itself, also add over a clever screemplay supported by a funniest gags on a bit and quite often peppery circunstances, silly but fully entertainment comedy from the 80'!!
Resume:
First watch: 1991 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD-R / Rating: 6.5.
He has to coexist in both sides of the his life, having to assist his father to get a cash donation to saves this father's centenary school, but all things mix up itself, also add over a clever screemplay supported by a funniest gags on a bit and quite often peppery circunstances, silly but fully entertainment comedy from the 80'!!
Resume:
First watch: 1991 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD-R / Rating: 6.5.
- elo-equipamentos
- Jan 4, 2019
- Permalink
An in depth look at the human psyche
In this move, Aykroyd presents a fresh look at what makes a man tick, his desires, feeling, emotions and passions. Aykroyd plays Clifford Skridlow, a somewhat nerdish college professor who is timid and mildly neruotic. This character speaks to a lot of us as we walk our way through life, often unnoticed and unsatisfied with our interactions with others. Longing for nothing but happiness, we weave our way through the obstacles of life much as Clifford rushes through the quad on the way to class, taunted and laughed at by the students surrounding him. But this isn't just another movie designed to identify with unsatisfied loners.
While enjoying dinner at an Indian Restauraunt (symbolizing the social and cultural diversity of humanity), Clifford is picked out by a local pimp to act as a scapegoat to avoid debt to Mom, of the infamous Mom's Limo Company. How many times have you been picked by those more successful than you to take the blame? It's getting a little to real at this point, as the action picks up it's pace. Clifford must invent an inner personality to cope with the feelings of rejection and hatred, and the character Doctor Detroit is born. He embodies all that Clifford wishes he could be, suave, feared, respected, wealthy, and adored by women. The metal hand on his left arm is a not so subtle attempt to portray the desire of the weak to be strong.
The strong reference to Nietzsche's idea of men rising up from the ashes and becoming a strong race of supermen cannot be ignored at this point, and it's clear that this is more than just a silly comedy. With his newfound alter-ego and inner strength, the doctor conquers evil and saves the day. In a triumphant final speed, the Doctor retires his inner personality encouraging the gathered crowd to be strong and find their own inner selves, while returning to a life of a normal, unknown man.
But what will happen to him? Why did he choose to let his inner self die? Was this a sacrifice, or a lack of courage? What would Nietzsche think about this complex analysis? This movie will leave you asking these any many questions. Highly recommended, especially as an introduction to other great works such as Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil.
While enjoying dinner at an Indian Restauraunt (symbolizing the social and cultural diversity of humanity), Clifford is picked out by a local pimp to act as a scapegoat to avoid debt to Mom, of the infamous Mom's Limo Company. How many times have you been picked by those more successful than you to take the blame? It's getting a little to real at this point, as the action picks up it's pace. Clifford must invent an inner personality to cope with the feelings of rejection and hatred, and the character Doctor Detroit is born. He embodies all that Clifford wishes he could be, suave, feared, respected, wealthy, and adored by women. The metal hand on his left arm is a not so subtle attempt to portray the desire of the weak to be strong.
The strong reference to Nietzsche's idea of men rising up from the ashes and becoming a strong race of supermen cannot be ignored at this point, and it's clear that this is more than just a silly comedy. With his newfound alter-ego and inner strength, the doctor conquers evil and saves the day. In a triumphant final speed, the Doctor retires his inner personality encouraging the gathered crowd to be strong and find their own inner selves, while returning to a life of a normal, unknown man.
But what will happen to him? Why did he choose to let his inner self die? Was this a sacrifice, or a lack of courage? What would Nietzsche think about this complex analysis? This movie will leave you asking these any many questions. Highly recommended, especially as an introduction to other great works such as Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil.
Silly comedy, completely forgettable ........
Okay, the characters are lively and likable, but the story is cartoon-like, so simplified that it is totally forgettable. One positive is the sharp editing, that keeps things moving along. Negatives would be the lack of enough laughs to recommend second viewings, and cartoon-like goings on that are seriously squirm inducing. "Doctor Detroit" comes across as a not fully developed "Saturday Night Live" skit. While the characters are certainly colorful, there is no real bite to the story. Fran Drescher and Howard Hessman try their stereotyped best, while Dan Aykroyd cavorts about trying to hold things together, but to no avail. Stick with "Trading Places" and avoid the comedic letdown of "Doctor Detroit". - MERK
- merklekranz
- Feb 16, 2013
- Permalink
not that funny
Clifford Skridlow (Dan Aykroyd) is a geeky weird professor at a small Chicago college. Smooth Walker (Howard Hesseman) is a pimp who owes money to mob boss Mom. Diavolo Washington is his driver. He has a scheme using his girls (Donna Dixon, Lydia Lei, Fran Drescher, and Lynn Whitfield) to trick a sucker. After a night of hard partying, Clifford is pushed into playing the girls' new crazy pimp Doctor Detroit. Meanwhile, Smooth skips town pretending that a new pimp has muscled him out. Cifford struggles to maintain his straight life while living his wild pimp life.
The problem with Clifford is that I don't find him lovable. He starts with such a weird oddball introduction. For some reason, I find Clifford off-putting. On the other hand, I don't mind the outrageous Doctor Detroit. The movie is generally stupid and silly without being funny. Aykroyd is also on his own comedically in this one and he's not doing so well.
The problem with Clifford is that I don't find him lovable. He starts with such a weird oddball introduction. For some reason, I find Clifford off-putting. On the other hand, I don't mind the outrageous Doctor Detroit. The movie is generally stupid and silly without being funny. Aykroyd is also on his own comedically in this one and he's not doing so well.
- SnoopyStyle
- Dec 26, 2015
- Permalink
Something's rotten in Detroit
Here's one of those Ackroyd films, I decided to snub, but after some curiosity, when seeing the start of it, one night on t.v. where it's opening song and Ackroy's brisk walking routine, is really what did it. Hell, even when he stops, he keeps this exercise strategy in tow. There is little humor here, some which rather has you smirking on the inside. When some heavy hitters, come down on middle aged pimp, Hesseman, he decides to bail, but getting an idiot substitute to fill his role, and guess who. Ackroyd's shy vulnerable character is also a history teacher, hardly has time to sleep. He still lives with his parents, and as causing much envy to a lot of viewers, does have a way with the ladies, his ho's, like the sexy Donna Dixon, and a younger and thinner, Fran Drescher, who's much so less annoying in this. A woman, a memorable butt ugly type (Yeah, I've seen her somewhere before?) n runs the collection racket, where Ackroyd ends up doubling, as the infamous Doctor Detroit, and nice caring parents, not knowing anything about his new job, where cause of this, he has to juggle a couple of professions. In the early part of the film, to be honest, I didn't realize what the story actually was, as I think more detail should of gone into it, to clarify it more. But this is a bad movie, nonetheless, where at times it's a ridiculously stupid movie. Ackroyd though does put in a good performance, where unjustly, he's just lumbered with a stupid movie, and one, he won't be remembered for.
- videorama-759-859391
- Oct 26, 2016
- Permalink
Doctor Detroit
I remember seeing this movie on VHS while I worked at a video rental store in the 80's. I thought it was a funny campy movie but Hey! I like these kind of movies now and then. I always like Dan Akroyd movies so it didn't matter if this was not up to snuff with the likes of Ghostbusters or Blues Brothers. It was hard to believe he made that film then. I recently acquired this movie on laserdisc just about a week ago. I had not seen the movie since the 80's. I since taped over my VHS dub many years ago. It was great to sit down and have a few laughs and once again see the 'Doctor' in action. The picture is clean with only a few spots and scratches. The sound is only analog and not digital but delivers very surprising and powerful for an older movie. It's a fun film never the less. Yeah! it was no box office smash or a great comedy or action film, but there's just something about these lesser movies that brings you back to a better time. Dan does a great job even with the film's downfalls. Hey he got a great wife out of the deal marrying Donna Dixon from the film! It falls in the category with the likes of 'Howard the Duck'. Both were box office failures but there are still those devoted fans out there still searching for these 'gems' everyday. So for me the 'Doctor' is always 'in' my movie collection.
- madmanmarkd
- Nov 7, 2005
- Permalink
Practicing without a license....
His first movie after longtime friend John Belushi's death, Aykroyd shows much fatigue trying to pull off a character that would have been a snap for Belushi.
Instead, "Doctor Detroit" gives us bookish professor Aykroyd masquerading as a weird, violent pimp to ward off a rival known only as Mom. That's bad enough, but he also has classes to teach, a school dinner to host, four ladies of the evening to protect and a Pimp's Dinner (or something like that) to attend. No wonder Aykroyd seems stupefied most of the time. Why should the viewer be alone?
It was on this film that Aykroyd met future wife Donna Dixon. At least some good came out of this chaotic mess.
One and a half stars. You want good Aykroyd, see "The Blues Brothers". You want bad, see "Doctor Detroit".
Instead, "Doctor Detroit" gives us bookish professor Aykroyd masquerading as a weird, violent pimp to ward off a rival known only as Mom. That's bad enough, but he also has classes to teach, a school dinner to host, four ladies of the evening to protect and a Pimp's Dinner (or something like that) to attend. No wonder Aykroyd seems stupefied most of the time. Why should the viewer be alone?
It was on this film that Aykroyd met future wife Donna Dixon. At least some good came out of this chaotic mess.
One and a half stars. You want good Aykroyd, see "The Blues Brothers". You want bad, see "Doctor Detroit".
the doctor is in
In one of many goofy roles, Dan Aykroyd plays uptight Prof. Clifford Skridlow, who finds a new lease on life when he poses as a pimp. "Doctor Detroit" is mostly an excuse for a series of silly situations, but they know how to make it funny. No, this isn't his best movie, but he always has some gags up his sleeve, and the movie isn't pretending to be anything that it isn't. Aykroyd would play a similar role in 1988's "The Couch Trip", but this is the original.
So, even if this movie can only be classified as "cute", then so be it. Dan Aykroyd will always be a comic genius, with or without John Belushi. Also starring Donna Dixon (whom Aykroyd married soon after this movie) and Fran Drescher.
So, even if this movie can only be classified as "cute", then so be it. Dan Aykroyd will always be a comic genius, with or without John Belushi. Also starring Donna Dixon (whom Aykroyd married soon after this movie) and Fran Drescher.
- lee_eisenberg
- Apr 24, 2006
- Permalink
A Comedy with No Laughs
A pimp (Howard Hesseman) gets into trouble so he cons a nerdy professor (Dan Aykroyd) into posing as his partner, a flamboyant pimp named Doctor Detroit. On paper this looks like it could be funny. Maybe with John Landis handling it, it could have been. But it's not. I have tried this movie three times in the last five years, desperately hoping each time I will finally "get it." But now I am accepting there just isn't anything to "get." It's just a very boring comedy that, despite a solid cast, has no laughs. It's not that I mind the silly paper-thin plot. It's a comedy so I don't expect much from the plot. I don't mind the subject matter. If anything, the movie suffers from not being raunchy enough. It's an 80's comedy about prostitutes and pimps yet it's pretty tame compared to similar films of the time. I don't even know how to pinpoint what is wrong with it except to repeat that it didn't make me laugh. Not once. Sorry. It blows.
An Unknown Gem!
- raypdaley182
- Mar 23, 2007
- Permalink
The 2nd greatest sound track ever!
As others may have pointed out, this is mostly Dan A. doing his schtick with a couple of characters that he had not entirely fleshed out. But one thing you should see (hear) this movie for is the sound track!
You have Devo, James Brown, and Lalo Schifrin (in probably his only excursion into "soul music"--and what an excursion it is).
Almost 20 years later, I still listen to this album on a regular basis.
You have Devo, James Brown, and Lalo Schifrin (in probably his only excursion into "soul music"--and what an excursion it is).
Almost 20 years later, I still listen to this album on a regular basis.
The not ready for prime time movie.
- mark.waltz
- Mar 22, 2022
- Permalink
The Doctor is "IN"!
DOCTOR DETROIT (1983) **1/2 Dan Aykroyd, Howard Hesseman, Donna Dixon, Fran Drescher, TK Carter, George Furth, James Brown. Aykroyd has a field day as milquetoast college professor who unwittingly is enlisted by a pimp to assume the identity of a ganglord mack daddy as the eponymous not-to-be-trifled man about town. Frequently funny especially his tete a tete with his archenemy, Mom, in a junk yard: `Mom, I'm gonna rip off your head and s**t down your neck!' Brown's appearance livens things up with a neat, goofy dance spotlight for the antic Aykroyd
- george.schmidt
- Mar 5, 2003
- Permalink
Some things should not be allowed to taint celluloid!
This is without a doubt the worst movie I have ever seen. It is not funny. It is not interesting and should not have been made.
Dr Detroit = Police Academy 7
This movie is so bad, it can only be compared to the all-time worst "comedy": Police Academy 7. No laughs throughout the movie. Do something worthwhile, anything really. Just don't waste your time on this garbage.
Pull the plug
This dumb comedy really does a good job of wasting comedic talent. In particular, Dan Aykroyd and Howard Hesseman are misused badly here. I might have chuckled once or twice during this film, but in general, it's a boring movie, with a little bit of stupidity thrown in for good measure. The premise, although routine, still wasn't bad, but once the plot was set, the film went nowhere. Don't waste your time with this misfire.
I haven't even met the doctor yet......
- FlashCallahan
- Nov 29, 2013
- Permalink
Not Terrible, But Not Great
A timid college professor (Dan Aykroyd), conned into posing as a flamboyant pimp, finds himself enjoying his new occupation on the streets.
I am not surprised that this film has been forgotten. As far as 1980s films go, it is just alright. It is also not one of Dan Aykroyd's best films, and probably not even one of the best pimping films of the time ("Risky Business" is definitely better, and I would even say "Night Shift" beats this).
There were things I liked. In fact, I really liked the character of Doctor Detroit -- his look, his style, his dance. The voice was alright, though he could have passed as a Conehead.
I am not surprised that this film has been forgotten. As far as 1980s films go, it is just alright. It is also not one of Dan Aykroyd's best films, and probably not even one of the best pimping films of the time ("Risky Business" is definitely better, and I would even say "Night Shift" beats this).
There were things I liked. In fact, I really liked the character of Doctor Detroit -- his look, his style, his dance. The voice was alright, though he could have passed as a Conehead.
Funniest comedy of the eighties (one of them)
I loved this movie, so did my husband. It is so cute and so fun. It also never hurts to have a James Brown song and some dancing to make it more memorable. We are just partial to Dan Ackroyd, Howard Hesseman I guess. I also thought the Devo theme was hilarious. Let's not forget T.K. Carter and a certain nasal sounding female escort. A fun film even if it's not a genius work by Dan. Some of the lines and acting are still memorable to me to this day! I'm watching it now as a matter of fact. It's just so hilariously stupid! Good memories if you saw it in your twenties and loved it. Much better then "Nothing But Trouble", which was a piece of crap but had it's moments! Sorry, Danny.
Only watch it if you're already in the mood to laugh
A prototypical '80s comedy
This may be my very favorite comedy of the 1980s. Dan Aykroyd plays a hilarious dual role as the mild-mannered Clifford Skridlow and the off-the-wall Dr. Detroit. Howard Hesseman is perfect as a pimp who can't take the heat and puts the blame on Aykroyd to take care of things. It may not be the best written of the '80s comedies, but the unforgettable characters and situations make this a movie that you'll want to watch over and over again. Please release this on DVD! I can't stand my laserdisc copy anymore!
"Mom, I'm gonna rip off your head and sh*t down your neck!"
I don't know if that saying originated with this film, but it was certainly the first time I'd ever heard it. And it still makes you laugh 25 years later. Doctor Detroit is truly an odd-ball vehicle for Dan Aykroyd. He plays an up-tight literature professor at a conservative college in Chicago. One day a cash-strapped pimp played by Howard Hesseman is riding through town with a limo filled with his four beautiful ladies. They notice Aykroyd out "power walking" to a Devo song and make fun of him. Later on, they notice him at a restaurant and decide to bring him into their business. But this will not be all fun and games. Leaning on this group is a nasty limo service owner known as "mom". Mom is a mean and ugly old woman played by Kate Murtagh. Hesseman owes her a fortune and he decides to skip town and put Aykroyd in his place to pass the debts (and likely beatings) on to him. In order to scare mom off, Aykroyd and his new business partners devise an alter ego for him known as "Doctor Detroit". And he is supposedly the baddest pimp in history. He and mom have a battle to the end for control of the prostitution industry of Chicago. Oh, and the college Aykroyd teaches at is going broke, and they need a bunch of money to keep it going. Don't forget about that subplot! It sounds pretty dumb, and maybe it is. But it is really quite funny. Aykroyd's Doctor Detroit is quite a site. Bright flashy pimp clothing, gold medallions to hang amongst his chest hair, dark glasses, a wig that resembled the hairstyle of Ozzy Osbourne at that time, and a metallic hand out of an old suit of armor. His voice is that of Beldar Conehead. He dances, he cackles insults, and he outwits mom at every turn. Soon enough, his reputation on the street soars. He will even be crowned as the king of pimps at a players ball held in the same hotel where his college will be given a large endowment during a formal dinner. All on the same night! But will mom show up to spoil the party for everyone??? The cast is full of recognizable faces. Aykroyd is hilarious as the Doctor. And he basically plays an even more uptight version of himself as Clifford Skridlow the professor. The four working girls he has are very hot to say the least. One of them (Donna Dixon) would later become his wife. Fran Drescher looks as good as ever. T.K. Carter needs to work more these days. He is an 80s actor that is sorely missed in this day and age. James Brown makes an appearance and does a number at the players ball with the Doctor. These players balls for pimps are a very real thing in true life, too! A sequel was hoped for, but this film didn't make much money. Too bad! 7 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
The Hound.
- TOMASBBloodhound
- Dec 8, 2008
- Permalink
Campy as heck
This is not the type of movie you watch for the clever plot and
well-defined
characters. This is a cheap, bawdy comic romp to be enjoyed with the
fellas
at a weekend get-together or at a bachelor party. Where else can you see a
nubile young Fran Drescher wearing next to nothing and James Brown urging a
crowd of scantily clad dancers to "get up offa that thang" in the same
movie?
Nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment, especially since Dr. Detroit doesn't pretend to be anything else.
Nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment, especially since Dr. Detroit doesn't pretend to be anything else.