Serial (1980)

87% of users liked it
(133 ratings)

There are no cliff-hanging moments in Serial, but there's plenty of laughs in this trenchant comedy comment on 1970s lifestyles. Martin Mull plays the father of a Marin County family that succumbs to every silly fad coming down the pike. Mull tries to distance himself from his family's idiocies, but… More There are no cliff-hanging moments in Serial, but there's plenty of laughs in this trenchant comedy comment on 1970s lifestyles. Martin Mull plays the father of a Marin County family that succumbs to every silly fad coming down the pike. Mull tries to distance himself from his family's idiocies, but it's always the man who pays the piper. The film, based on a collection of newspaper essays by Cyra McFadden, is neatly tied up with a Capraesque ending allowing Mull to finally prevail. Some of the best moments involves Mull's tiltings with his trend-happy neighbor Bill Macy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Bill Persky
Genres: Comedy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Mar 28, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Jul 22, 2008

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
The film is ruthless in bidding a not-so-fond farewell to the Me Decade.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Serial is a whimsical parable about the burdens of always trying to stay up-to-date.

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AJ V

A hilarious movie about family, fads, and the 70s. An interesting cast too, especially Christopher Lee, who is too funny. I highly recommend this comedy.

Cast

            Martin Mull as Harvey Holroyd

            Tuesday Weld as Kate

            Sally Kellerman as Martha

            Anthony Battaglia as Stokeley

            Nita Talbot as Angela

            Bill Macy as Sam

            Pamela Bellwood as Carol

            Barbara Rhoades as Vivian

            Ann Weldon as Rachel

            Peter Bonerz as Leonard

            Jon Fong as Wong

            Christopher Lee as Luckman/Skull

            Patch Mackenzie as Stella

            Tom Smothers as Rev. Spike

            Clark Brandon as Spenser

            Clyde Ventura as Donald

            Bob Balhat-Chet
            
            Sam Chew Jr. as Bill

            Anthony Fusco
            
            George American Horse as Indian Chief

            Kevin Howard as Roger

            Jennifer McAllister as Joan

            Stacey Nelkin as Marlene

            Kevin O'Brien as Jim

            Scott Paulin as Hip Caterer

            Mark Rasmussen as Tony Wilson

            Paul Rossilli as Paco

            Billy Sands as Bartender

            Robin Sherwood as Woman

            Mark L. Taylor as Cult Member 1

            Lee Wilkof as Brian

            Jophery C. Brown as Stunt Biker

            Kenny Endoso
            
            Steve Holladay as Stunt Biker

            Buddy Joe Hooker as Biker

            Peter Horton as Cult Member 4

            Donna Ponterotto as Daphne

            Bill Jelliffe as Man on Ferry

            John Thompson as Store Manager
See full cast