No Dessert, Dad, till You Mow the Lawn

No Dessert, Dad, till You Mow the Lawn
Directed byHoward McCain[1]
Written byJennifer Moran
Martha Moran[1]
StarringRobert Hays
Joanna Kerns[1]
Release date
  • July 27, 1994 (1994-07-27)
[1]
Running time
89 minutes[1]
LanguageEnglish

No Dessert Dad, till You Mow the Lawn is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Howard McCain and starring Robert Hays and Joanna Kerns.[2][3][4]

Synopsis

Two parents (Hays and Kerns) buy self-hypnosis tapes in order to quit smoking. The kids find the tapes and add subliminal suggestions that turn them into cool parents.

Cast

  • Robert Hays as Ken Cochran, the executive at Cantalope
  • Joanna Kerns as Carol Cochran, Ken's wife
  • Joshua Schaefer as Justin Cochran, Ken & Carol's second son
  • Larry Linville as J.J., Ken's boss and the CEO of Cantalope
  • Allison Mack as Monica Cochran, Ken & Carol's daughter
  • Jimmy Marsden as Tyler Cochran, Ken & Carol's first son
  • Richard Moll as Boot Camp Sergeant
  • Lyman Ward as Larry Driscoll, Ken's corrupt commanding officer
  • Corbin Allred as Moonpie
  • Michael James McDonald as Evil Hypnotist
  • Heather Campbell as Enemy Player
  • Ted Davis as Vaneet

Reception

In a negative review, Paul Cullum wrote, "No Dessert Dad adheres strictly to the point of view built into the title--that of kids goofing on short-sighted oblivious parents--but the meandering narrative creates the feeling of something made up as it goes along, much as a four-year-old might tell a story. This, coupled with largely infantile humor, leaves the queasy but vivid impression that this is a film written not only for kids, but quite possibly by kids. None of this will is likely dissuade the post-linear, computer-driven, cybergarten audience, but it promises to be slow going for anyone over the age of 10."[5]

Radio Times had a negative review of the film, stating, "This rare foray by producer Roger Corman into PG territory is a surprisingly reprehensible family film. ... Though the premise may not bother children, they might share their parents' discomfort, not just at the film's cold tone, but also its attempts to find humour in cat faeces and cracks about incest.[6] Bruce Elder of The Sydney Morning Herald praised the film, calling it "cute fantasy" and "mildly amusing".[7] Mick Martin and Marsha Porter gave the film three stars, saying about the film's parents, "Watching their transformation from strung-out chain-smokers to vibrant, healthy parents is both funny and poignant."[8] Stan James of The Advertiser wrote that the film was "a certain winner in a strange title competition" and "This harmless fare has its moments, some of them funny."[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Flowers, John; Frizler, Paul (2004). Psychotherapists on Film, 1899-1999: A Worldwide Guide to Over 5000 Films. Vol. 2. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 432. ISBN 0-7864-1908-3. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ "Papa, Előbb Dolgozz Meg A Sütiért!" [Papa, Work for the Cookie First!]. Video Magazin (in Hungarian). June 1996. p. 32. ISSN 0237-5141. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Connors, Martin; Craddock, Jim, eds. (1998) [1991]. Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 610. ISBN 1-57859-024-8. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ "TV Plus". Sunday Mail. January 27, 2002. Retrieved July 3, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ Cullum, Paul (1994). "No Dessert Dad, 'Til You Mow the Lawn". In Levich, Jacob (ed.). The Motion Picture Guide: 1995 Annual (The Films of 1994). New York: CineBooks. p. 257. ISBN 0-933997-00-0. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ "No Dessert Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn". Radio Times. 2000. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ Elder, Bruce (January 28, 2002). "Movies - Thursday January 31". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ^ Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2002). Video & DVD Guide 2003. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 789. ISBN 0-345-44991-6. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ James, Stan (January 31, 2002). "TV Movies". The Advertiser. Retrieved July 3, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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