Reviews (1)

extended, but cute.
I was an extra in the dance scene (white shirt, purple pantaloons, mustache, sunglasses, alot of hair that is now gone). 20 years later, I decide to see the film. Not bad. I enjoyed seeing a young Wally Shawn, and although at times the movie was a bit drawn out, overall I enjoyed it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having delved repeatedly into the world of teenage joys and sorrows, from Sixteen Candles to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, writer-director John Hughes took a step into adulthood (or some facsimile of it) with She's Having a Baby. Peppered with whimsical asides and busy voice-over observations, the movie is shamelessly fun to watch, even if it doesn't add up to anything especially profound. Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern are newlyweds struggling through the tribulations of a youthful marriage. Along with the usual uncertainties, Bacon is sacrificing his dreams of becoming a writer to work in an ad agency, and his best supposed pal (Alec Baldwin, just before stardom) tries to seduce his wife. Hughes may have been reflecting on his own past job in advertising, and maybe that explains why the movie plays like a superficial, if entertaining, TV commercial. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Funny & Honest!
This film is told mostly from Kevin Bacon's (Jake)perspective through narration, a funny & pretty honest look at early married life. Many subtle jokes here, along with laugh out loud sight gags. It isn't just a comedy it works on different levels. Elizabeth McGovern(Cristy)is an attractive, yet reserved wife who is grounded, unlike her husband. Jake has questions..many questions, trying to figure out his life..and his wife. There is a genuine chemistry between them. Alec Baldwin is very good as Jake's bachelor friend. John Ashton is hilarious talking about garden hoses & lawnmowers! I am surprised so many people missed or skipped this film. The music ranges from Gene Loves Jezebel's "Desire" to Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work". The ending credit sequence has cameos from: Cast of Cheers & Ferris Bueller, Ally Sheedy, Magic Johnson & Dan Ackroyd.

The DVD: It is 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, with 5.1 Dolby sound. I would rank the picture quality a Solid 4 and the sound a 5. Unfortunatly no extras, a Trailer. (Would have loved to hear a Bacon/McGovern or John Hughes commentary!) If you are a fan, don't hesitate picking up this DVD.(Plastic Keepcase)

Good Romantic Comedy Plus Early Alec Baldwin
This is a funny, enjoyable romantic comedy, with Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon both providing a rich look at a young married couple and their struggles.

This movie's true bonus, though, is an early look at Alec Baldwin. I read somewhere that Barbra Streisand, way back long ago when she was in her prime, maintained two complete wardrobes -- one for when she was thin ("What's Up Doc?") and one for when she was chubby ("Hello Dolly!"). "She's Having A Baby" is definitely from young Alec Baldwin's thin days, when he displayed tremendous potential for being a handsome leading man of the cinema. Alec, however, never had to maintain two wardrobes as his film career progressed -- he simply bought larger clothes for each new movie, packing on a little more for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and then really porking up for "Pearl Harbor," and in all likelihood giving away his thin clothes because he certainly didn't need them any more. Soon, Alec will be able to play "Big Daddy" in a remake of "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof."

She's Having A Baby
This movie was and has been one of my favorites from the 80's. It is a true classic... I love all of the classic 80's movies and now that I am at the age of being in a marriage and babies a part of my life... every time I watch it brings great joy of what I always wanted. This movie I can watch over and over when there is a down time and it brings me back to my growing years.

My all time favorite romantic movie
This is the the sweetest, most touching romance movie that I personally have ever seen. Contained within this comedy-romance are some profound truths about men, women and relationships that I have never seen talked about in any other movie in such a dead-on way.

Christie's 3 or 4 sentence explination of why she won't cheat on her husband contains more truth than I have ever seen in a movie about why you don't cheat on your mate. Many marriages would not end in divorce if the people in them understood what Christy demonstrates in this film.

This is a movie which I feel does a near-perfect job of conveying what is really important in life. I think every married couple should see it. This video could be better marriage therapy than counseling. While there are a few corny jokes in the movie, they don't get in the way of what is really trying to be conveyed: That when you find that one special person, you hold on and never let go. That there is more satisfaction than many people imagine in an 'ordinary life,' and that true love really is worth it.

The most wonderful romance movie I have ever seen.

Finally on DVD! (Soundtrack Information Below)
She's Having A Baby has always been a favorite movie of mine. Alas, I didn't see it in theaters but got it on video and wore my copy out from repeat viewings. Finally the DVD has arrived, but with the exception of a trailer there's nothing as far as Special Features, which is pretty disappointing. The film is letterboxed to it's proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and looks just great. The sound is also good. Would've liked a John Hughes audio commentary like the one he did for the Ferris Bueller's Day Off DVD, but no such luck.

As for the movie itself, I think it's wonderful. A sweet and honest interpretation of growing up into adulthood and living with the decisions that you make. Since Kevin Bacon plays a writer named Jefforson (Jake) Briggs, we get to view his imagination thru certain scenes when he's sort of daydreaming, that come across very comically (like the lawnmower ballet). My favorite is when Kristi (Elizabeth McGovern) tells him "I stopped taking the pill three months ago", to which he sits up and starts screaming, imagining himself on a fastmoving traincar in a straitjacket, crashing into a brick wall. If those visuals don't explain his anxiety I don't know what would. That's the fun of the movie.

Everyone's talking about the wonderful Soundtrack that is out of print. This is because it was owned by I.R.S. Records and they went out of business many years ago and no one has bothered to pick up the rights to reissue it. I feel lucky, since I bought it on cassette and CD back in the early 90s. But if you really want to find one I suggest you try an online auction house such as ebay. They always have copies of the soundtrack to sell.

I always feel cheated when I buy a Paramount DVD because they are so expensive and usually only have a trailer as a bonus. Luckily I got this one dirt cheap at an auction, but even so they should'nt be charging us an arm and a leg for "movie only" DVDs when other studios (like Warner Bros.) sell "Special Edition" DVDs at cheaper prices. If you feel the same way as me I hope you'll write to Paramount and share your disappointment.

I hope these remarks were helpful. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This nostalgic special captures some classic moments from one of the most beloved shows of the '70s--a zany parody of daytime drama that launched the careers of such celebrities as Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Robert Guillaume, and Billy Crystal. The special starts as Jessica Tate (Helmond) enters the afterlife. Through a combination of dogged persistence and her trademark ditzy wisdom, Jessica attempts to convince an especially harried angel (Maude's Bea Arthur) into giving her a second chance at life. After all, the story isn't done yet. No single retrospective could hope to explain all of the convoluted plot lines generated by the warring Tate and Campbell clans, and those unfamiliar with the show might be left a bit dizzy by Jessica's whirlwind history. In its time, the show mined a wide range of social issues for laughs, touching on everything from cult kidnappings to alien abductions, student-teacher affairs to interracial marriage, and gay parenting to terminal illnesses. Soap's knack for laughing at serious issues--and refusal to back away from "heavy" drama when called for--still makes for brilliantly relevant satire more than 20 years after the show first hit the airwaves. --Grant Balfour ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Just Snipits
I didn't enjoy the snipit version of this video. I would have rather seen whole episodes.

Soap Soup
I loved SOAP and wanted to find some videos of episodes. Why are there never any reruns of this popular show?? It was not clear that this video was a "review" of Jessica's life (while talking to Bea from Golden Girls as the greeter in heaven). While it was good to see my old favorite characters again, I have never liked seeing brief snippets of scenes that were really good and leave you wanting to see the rest. What I had hoped for was a video with several actual episodes. The video seemed very short. Concidering the price, I expected it to be as long as a movie. As a "review of Jessica's life" and "SOAP Soup", it was good and worth watching. However, I will probably not buy the other "best of Soap" videos available.

Soap Suds
Soap was is a classic. Written by the Witt Thomas Harris team (who also wrote The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses and Benson to name but 4) this video contains Beatrice Arthur as a guardian at the gates of heaven, it really is funny!, I won't tell you what happens it this video, and what other clips are shown as it will spoil it. Buy it! it is well worth it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This compilation introduces each of the twisted story lines of the 1970s-era soap opera spoof by beginning with Jessica Tate's wrongful conviction of the murder of Peter, her lover and step-nephew. In a jailhouse meeting, Jessica (Katherine Helmond) and brother-in-law Burt (Richard Mulligan) examine other possible suspects, a perfect excuse to roll tape. Viewers meet her daughter Corrine, also embroiled in an affair with tennis pro Peter, that is, until her chaste courtship with a priest interferes. They see Burt's stepsons Danny, burdened with a mob assignment to kill Burt; cross-dressing Jodie (Billy Crystal), saving up for a sex change operation until his football-playing boyfriend dumps him for a shot at heterosexuality; and Chuck and Bob, the inseparable ventriloquist and dummy team. Or how about Jessica's husband Chester, outraged at her betrayal despite his own mistress and girlfriend. The only nonsuspect is Mary--Jessica's sister, Burt's wife, and the moral center of the sitcom--who stands by Burt through his guilt-ridden impotence and descent into madness because he killed her first husband. But who killed Peter? That question is never answered in this 74-minute volume, which leaves Jessica still in her jail cell as credits roll. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Just Snipits
I was disappointed in the snipit version of this video. It recaps past episodes that involved the characters inolved with Peter but doesn't really capture the essence of any of the episodes. I guess I would have preferred to see a few episodes in their original form.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILY BUT A LIVELY ONE
I can't say enough good things about this show or this 90 minute movie which is really a recap of everything that happened in the first season.

Jessica (katherine Helmond) and Burt (Richard Mulligan, God bless him!) are what made the sitcom what it was in addition to many others who went on to do great things after the show was canceled in 1981.

If you want a movie that has a lot more going for it than just your typical cookie cutter Father Knows Best clan. The Tates and The Campbells are for you.

There is not enough good things I can say about "Soap"
One of the most controversial series' ever made, and on top of that one of the funniest. Despite the protest letters that accumulated over 20,000, ABC backed up the sitcom and still aired it. Shortly after the protests stopped, then the ratings took off. It has everything from homosexuality to ventriliguism (sp?). Starring Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Robert Guilliame, Ted Wass, Robert Mandan, and Cathryn Damon, to name a handful. The best characters were played by Mulligan (Burt), Helmond (Jessica), and Guilliame (Benson). Richard Mulligan, who is an underappreciated actor, gives the most comical and convincing performance, which he won an emmy for. Katherine Helmond deserved an emmy for playing a dimwit so well. From Jessica's court scenes to Burt's alien abduction to devil possession, this outrageous comedy delivers. Even is able to become dramatic sometimes. Quite possibly the best comedy ever! GRADE: A+

A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO A GREAT SERIES!!
This tape, is a great way it be introduced to the wacky Tates and Campbells from Dunn's River, CT!!. Although packaged as THE BEST OF SOAP it is in fact a clip show that aired before the beginning of the second season. It was shown to catch viewers up on what had gone before in the previous first season. It shows Jessica Tate (played by Kathrine Helmond) in jail for a crime she did not commit and her brother-in-law Burt Campbell (played by Richard Mulligan) comparing notes trying to figure out who did kill Peter Campbell. The two review all the family members via clips from the past season. One word of warning: You don't find out who DID do it by the video's end. This was after all just a way to get you to watch the season opener the following week.There were 2 other retrspectives made during the series run. For somestrange reason the one for season 2 is not avaliable commercially while the one for season 3 is under the title of JESSICA'S WONDERFULL LIFE. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Funny & Honest!
This film is told mostly from Kevin Bacon's (Jake)perspective through narration, a funny & pretty honest look at early married life. Many subtle jokes here, along with laugh out loud sight gags. It isn't just a comedy it works on different levels. Elizabeth McGovern(Cristy)is an attractive, yet reserved wife who is grounded, unlike her husband. Jake has questions..many questions, trying to figure out his life..and his wife. There is a genuine chemistry between them. Alec Baldwin is very good as Jake's bachelor friend. John Ashton is hilarious talking about garden hoses & lawnmowers! I am surprised so many people missed or skipped this film. The music ranges from Gene Loves Jezebel's "Desire" to Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work". The ending credit sequence has cameos from: Cast of Cheers & Ferris Bueller, Ally Sheedy, Magic Johnson & Dan Ackroyd.

The DVD: It is 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, with 5.1 Dolby sound. I would rank the picture quality a Solid 4 and the sound a 5. Unfortunatly no extras, a Trailer. (Would have loved to hear a Bacon/McGovern or John Hughes commentary!) If you are a fan, don't hesitate picking up this DVD.(Plastic Keepcase)

Good Romantic Comedy Plus Early Alec Baldwin
This is a funny, enjoyable romantic comedy, with Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon both providing a rich look at a young married couple and their struggles.

This movie's true bonus, though, is an early look at Alec Baldwin. I read somewhere that Barbra Streisand, way back long ago when she was in her prime, maintained two complete wardrobes -- one for when she was thin ("What's Up Doc?") and one for when she was chubby ("Hello Dolly!"). "She's Having A Baby" is definitely from young Alec Baldwin's thin days, when he displayed tremendous potential for being a handsome leading man of the cinema. Alec, however, never had to maintain two wardrobes as his film career progressed -- he simply bought larger clothes for each new movie, packing on a little more for "Glengarry Glen Ross" and then really porking up for "Pearl Harbor," and in all likelihood giving away his thin clothes because he certainly didn't need them any more. Soon, Alec will be able to play "Big Daddy" in a remake of "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof."

She's Having A Baby
This movie was and has been one of my favorites from the 80's. It is a true classic... I love all of the classic 80's movies and now that I am at the age of being in a marriage and babies a part of my life... every time I watch it brings great joy of what I always wanted. This movie I can watch over and over when there is a down time and it brings me back to my growing years.

My all time favorite romantic movie
This is the the sweetest, most touching romance movie that I personally have ever seen. Contained within this comedy-romance are some profound truths about men, women and relationships that I have never seen talked about in any other movie in such a dead-on way.

Christie's 3 or 4 sentence explination of why she won't cheat on her husband contains more truth than I have ever seen in a movie about why you don't cheat on your mate. Many marriages would not end in divorce if the people in them understood what Christy demonstrates in this film.

This is a movie which I feel does a near-perfect job of conveying what is really important in life. I think every married couple should see it. This video could be better marriage therapy than counseling. While there are a few corny jokes in the movie, they don't get in the way of what is really trying to be conveyed: That when you find that one special person, you hold on and never let go. That there is more satisfaction than many people imagine in an 'ordinary life,' and that true love really is worth it.

The most wonderful romance movie I have ever seen.

Finally on DVD! (Soundtrack Information Below)
She's Having A Baby has always been a favorite movie of mine. Alas, I didn't see it in theaters but got it on video and wore my copy out from repeat viewings. Finally the DVD has arrived, but with the exception of a trailer there's nothing as far as Special Features, which is pretty disappointing. The film is letterboxed to it's proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and looks just great. The sound is also good. Would've liked a John Hughes audio commentary like the one he did for the Ferris Bueller's Day Off DVD, but no such luck.

As for the movie itself, I think it's wonderful. A sweet and honest interpretation of growing up into adulthood and living with the decisions that you make. Since Kevin Bacon plays a writer named Jefforson (Jake) Briggs, we get to view his imagination thru certain scenes when he's sort of daydreaming, that come across very comically (like the lawnmower ballet). My favorite is when Kristi (Elizabeth McGovern) tells him "I stopped taking the pill three months ago", to which he sits up and starts screaming, imagining himself on a fastmoving traincar in a straitjacket, crashing into a brick wall. If those visuals don't explain his anxiety I don't know what would. That's the fun of the movie.

Everyone's talking about the wonderful Soundtrack that is out of print. This is because it was owned by I.R.S. Records and they went out of business many years ago and no one has bothered to pick up the rights to reissue it. I feel lucky, since I bought it on cassette and CD back in the early 90s. But if you really want to find one I suggest you try an online auction house such as ebay. They always have copies of the soundtrack to sell.

I always feel cheated when I buy a Paramount DVD because they are so expensive and usually only have a trailer as a bonus. Luckily I got this one dirt cheap at an auction, but even so they should'nt be charging us an arm and a leg for "movie only" DVDs when other studios (like Warner Bros.) sell "Special Edition" DVDs at cheaper prices. If you feel the same way as me I hope you'll write to Paramount and share your disappointment.

I hope these remarks were helpful. ... Read more