Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1986)

53% of users liked it
(234 ratings)

This comedy is a showcase for Jim Varney (of "Hey Vern! It's your old buddy Ernest!" fame) who plays several different roles, including Laughin' Jack, Dr. Otto, Guy Dandy, and others. Dr. Otto is a crazed and evil scientist intent on becoming a world dictator. One of his plans is to send the global… More This comedy is a showcase for Jim Varney (of "Hey Vern! It's your old buddy Ernest!" fame) who plays several different roles, including Laughin' Jack, Dr. Otto, Guy Dandy, and others. Dr. Otto is a crazed and evil scientist intent on becoming a world dictator. One of his plans is to send the global economy into oblivion and towards that goal, he invents an appearance-altering device that allows him to assume any guise he chooses. His only nemesis is an inept anti-hero who looks like he could hardly tie his shoes, let alone outmaneuver anyone who can think and walk at the same time. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: John R. Cherry III, John R. Cherry
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jan 1, 1998

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Stacy A

This movie was so crazy. I loved it!!! Though made in 1986, it was ahead of its time. Dr. Otto, played by Varney, wants to make money worthless and demagnetizes credit cards and damages bank accounts where no one can cash their checks, thus causing riots to break out all over the… More
This movie was so crazy. I loved it!!! Though made in 1986, it was ahead of its time. Dr. Otto, played by Varney, wants to make money worthless and demagnetizes credit cards and damages bank accounts where no one can cash their checks, thus causing riots to break out all over the U.S. The nation is looking at another depression, one worse than the one in the 1920's. The economy is bad, the government has no idea who owes who and how much. The stock market is in a mess. It really reminds me of how our economy is today-in 2011. When you get right down to it, this movie is not far off the mark on how things are or are going to be. Varney-one of the chief writers (along with Cherry and Sams)-knew what he was doing when he wrote this. Lance was kind of a pathetic excuse for a hero that I found myself siding with Dr. Otto Von Schnick-ick-ick. I loved the riddle and I only could figure out that Auntie Nelda and the South Pole was the answers. The 'changing coffin' was a favorite of mine and along with Dr. Otto, Guy Dandy was another favorite character. Call me strange, but I think Dr. Otto is kind of hot. Other characters Varney portrays in this movie: Rudd Hardtact and Laughin' Jack. Of course, I cracked the biggest smile at the end of the movie when none other than 'Ernest P. Worrell' stepped out of the 'changing coffin'. This is not an 'Ernest' movie and has a much darker theme but it's still a great movie. I noticed a lot of characters that have went on to be in the Ernest movies like Mac Bennett, Daniel Butler, Myke Mueller, Jackie Welch and Bill Byrge, who actually had a speaking role in this as a gas attendant.
Tim S

Crazy Jim Varney goodness.

Cast

            Jim Varney as Dr. Otto/Rudd Hardtact/Laughin' Jack/Guy Dandy/Au

            Myke R. Mueller as Lance

            Jackie Welch as Doris

            Daniel Butler as Aide No. 1 Kelger

            Esther Huston as Tina

            Tina Goetze as Rhonda Sue

            Jennifer Wood as Monique

            David Landon as Bank President Rutherford

            Winslow Stillman as Lance's Dad

            Leslie Potter as Mme. Vonschnck

            Joey Anderson as Miss Apple

            Bill Byrge as Gas Station Attendant

            Charlie Hughes as News Director

            Glenn Petach as Otto's Head hand

            Nancy Alderson as Woman at Autoteller

            Henry Arnold as Bank Officer

            Christian Bell as Boy in Arcade

            Mack Bennett as V.P.

            Mindy Briggs as Barfly

            Michael Cisneros as Student

            Royce Clark as Suburbantie

            Shauree Crooks as Shopper

            George Frasier as Bartender

            Carl Graves as President of the United States

            Jorn Hall as Man at Street with Newspaper

            Katie Ingleson as Girl in Arcade

            Jimmy Jacobs as The Dump

            Scott J. Jones as POW

            Irv Kane as Herr Vonschnck

            Bonnie Keen as Checkout Girl

            Terri Merryman as Newswoman

            Bill Middleton as Man at Autoteller

            John B. Murrey as Science Fair Judge

            Tom Nix as Gas Station Customer

            Beverlee Ogles as Girl at the Bait Stake

            Mac Pirkle as Drunk

            Chris Reguli as Nurse

            B.J. Rogers as Nurse

            Rick Steart as POW

            Robert Wynne as Aide No. 2 Feldon
See full cast

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Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1986)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Stacy A

Tim S

Cast

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