Doin' Time (1985)

Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo, more or less ruled by the prisoners themselves.

Director:

George Mendeluk

Writers:

Franelle Silver (story), Ron Zwang (story)

Stars:

Muhammad Ali, Jeff Altman, Henry Bal

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Muhammad Ali	...	Himself (special appearance)
Jeff Altman	...	Duke Jarrett
Henry Bal	...	Guard Kowinski
Gene Bell	...	Vaudevillan
Big Yank	...	Bubba Feldstein
Simmy Bow	...	Snake Eyes
Drew Bundini Brown	...	Himself (special appearance)
David Lee Bynum	...	Prisoner
Colleen Camp	...	Nancy Catlett
Max Carl	...	Vocalist
Melanie Chartoff	...	Linda Libel
Robert Clotworthy	...	Attorney
Dee Cooper	...	Truck Driver
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Bernie Feldstein
Robert Czakel	...	Duke's Trainer

Storyline

Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo, more or less ruled by the prisoners themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

weightlifting | television reporter | african american stereotype | prison | prisoner | 

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Taglines:

The mad team who gave you Police Academy 1 and 2 have struck again! Now, see how crazy it is on the inside of the only prison in the world where you break out. Laughing!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Big House

Filming Locations:

GMT Studios - 5701-5751 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmcorp,The Ladd Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The map on the wall in Mongo Mitchell's office is a Thomas Brothers map of Orange County, California.

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Connections

Spoofs Patton (1970)

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Soundtracks

Breakin' Out
Written by Max Carl and Andrew Kastner
Performed by Jack Mack and The Heart Attack

User Reviews

85 comedy misfire

In 85, we had Night Patrol, Moving Violations, and this. All I can say is thank god we have Jeff Altman, the film's only saving grace. Altman is a door to door salesman, caught in the wrong house in the wrong bed with the wrong woman who screams rape. This hot middle aged philly at first lures Altman to the bedroom, so you can probably imagine, just how angry he feels when he ends up in the clink, amongst some well known faces, like John Vernon and JJ from good times, amidst other comedy stars of this 8O's type. The philly gets her just desserts later in a funny scene. You'll get the pun when you see it. In this insane prison, run by an evil warden, Mulligan, it actually turns out to be a real fun environment, where eggs are cooked on electric chairs, rock bands perform and the prisoners have their own t.v. station. Jeff Altman adds his own funny parts too, his full body inspection farting scene is good. But Doin' Time is a pretty weak comedy, and runs third place to the other comedies. A lot of intentional funny moments fall flat on their face. I like the prison band, the lead singer singing I'm all f..ked up instead of shook up, raised a few laughs, where there's a far and a few between. Also Judy Landers flashing her two prized assets in front of Mulligan, in his office, getting him so hot, he has to make a few runs to the bathroom is another funny scene. But this film is just a weak effort. I watched this film a few times, in most cases, never really getting to the end of it, which I found a hard process. Take my advice. See the other two films mentioned above, before seeing this one. You may have a difference of opinion, but I would be talking about a very small majority here. May'be we should have the film's director do some time, in a non fun environment.