The Toy (1982)

11% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(15,665 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Richard Donner
Written By: Carol Sobieski, Francis Veber
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 10, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Nov 13, 2001

Critic Reviews

Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Great cast, painfully precious result.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Absolutely awful.
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
The Toy is nothing but a pointless plaything that needlessly wastes the gigantic comedy talents of legendary funnymen Pryor and Gleason
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
Wonder wheel! Pryor at his comedic best!
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Clearly, heavy-handed social commentary, cheesy slapstick and kiddie comedy aren't the most compatible of components to shoehorn into one movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

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… More
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.
Megan S

Oh boy, definitely an 80s movie. The spiderman pajamas scene was the best. I want a boxing robot!
Jason O

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… More
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 S

This is a funny and sometimes crude movie about a man who becomes a living toy to a spoiled rich kid. There are some great moments in this flick and all kids want to do some of the things they do in this flick. The story is simple and fun with a message at the end but you won't… More
This is a funny and sometimes crude movie about a man who becomes a living toy to a spoiled rich kid. There are some great moments in this flick and all kids want to do some of the things they do in this flick. The story is simple and fun with a message at the end but you won't loose sleep if you never manage to see this flick.
Tim S

This film introduced me to Richard Pryor when I was very, very young. Not a great film, but it's Richard. You can't go wrong with Richard!
Dean M

This is the most awkward, strained and unfunny performance that Richard Pryor has given so far, perhaps, one speculates, because he has not been allowed that profussion of four-letters words with which his dialogue is usually splattered
Michael G

Since I saw this I've wanted Spider-Man pajamas.
Christopher O

A movie which is helmed by two comic veterans in Pryor and Gleason and is harmless, touching and funny. A remake of a french film, Pryor through mishaps becomes the living breathing toy of Gleason's spoiled military school child who he sees once a year. Their is a needless kkk… More
A movie which is helmed by two comic veterans in Pryor and Gleason and is harmless, touching and funny. A remake of a french film, Pryor through mishaps becomes the living breathing toy of Gleason's spoiled military school child who he sees once a year. Their is a needless kkk plot thrown in and some over the top gags but Pryor and the boy played by Scott Schwartz have a nice chemistry. Gleason also has some good moments. This by far is not a great film but isn't bad rainy or snowy afternoon watching.
Chad R

Great Movie! Richard Pryor is perfect in this role as a spoiled rich kids toy. Getting paid big bucks to basically do what ever this little punk rich white boy son of Jackie Gleason tells him to. This kid runs him through the gambit until Pryor starts to get fed up and teaches the… More
Great Movie! Richard Pryor is perfect in this role as a spoiled rich kids toy. Getting paid big bucks to basically do what ever this little punk rich white boy son of Jackie Gleason tells him to. This kid runs him through the gambit until Pryor starts to get fed up and teaches the kid a thing or two about life and how to treat people. I loved this as a kid, need to check it out again soon to see how it has held up in the 25 years since I last watched it.
Lee K

lol i havent thought of this movie in a thousand years! now its back im my memory banks i will have to re-watch it
Leo L

Hilarious!
Sarah P

It was alright, never a favorite of mine.

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

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

            Linda McCann as Honey

            Stuart Baker-Bergen as Aerobics Class Leader

            Robert Cherry as Man in Carwash

            Debra Cole as Terry Gay

            Robert Earle
            
            Stocker Fontelieu as District Attorney Russell

            Harold G. Herthum
            
            B.J. Hopper as Geffran

            Stephen Kahan
            
            Ray Spruell as Sen. Newcomb

            Paul Tuerpé as State Trooper

            Orwin Harvey as Grand Dragon

            Bill Holliday
            
            George Howard
            
            Bruce Langley
            
            Annie McGuire
            
            Helen Howard as Party Guest
See full cast