The Toy

PG

Released Dec 10, 1982

1h 39m

Comedy

List

3%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Unemployed journalist Jack Brown (Richard Pryor) is attempting to make ends meet as the night janitor in a ritzy department store owned by Louisiana millionaire U.S. Bates (Jackie Gleason). On his annual visit to his father's store, Bates' pampered son, Eric (Scott Schwartz), is told he can choose one item in the toy department. To everyone's horror, he chooses Jack. Paid handsomely to spend one week with the troublesome kid, Jack soon discovers the roots of Eric's bad behavior.

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Critics Consensus

A muddled and unfunny collision of two comedic titans, The Toy is unsuitable for children -- or anyone else seeking entertainment.

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Denny S

Lots of great potential wasted. Pryor tries hard, but the material is defeating him at every turn. Gleason appears to be just picking up a check.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

G G

I watched this movie 30 years ago and remembered enjoying it. I saw it on a list of 100 worst movies of all time and thought this definitely does not deserve to be on that list.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Lucas G

Could've been good if it didn't totally suck

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

jarid d

I love this movie. I first saw it as a kid in the 80s and it has always been one of my favorite Richard Pryor movies. People say the plot of a rich white kid buying a black man is outrageous and stupid, they obviously don't understand that is part of the joke. This movie has a lot of heart at its center and has two main messages. The importance of communication and the stupidity of racism. Anyone who doesn't get that isn't paying attention.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

J U

classic '80s comedy. and yes a bit sexual, but has a great message.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/22

Full Review

chris b

All the Richard Prior haters this one's for you laughed all the way through. Great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Richard Donner

Director

Richard Pryor

Jack Brown

Jackie Gleason

U.S. Bates

Scotty Schwartz

Eric Bates

Ned Beatty

Mr. Morehouse

Teresa Ganzel

Fancy Bates

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Michael Maza

Arizona Republic

It is what they call a major disappointment.

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Alex Keneas

Newsday

The Toy" is insensitive to its material, a crude low-comedy. And a lifeless one.

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Pryor seems in chains in this movie, and he rarely breaks out for more than a second or two. Gleason, 66, looks remarkably good, but he is just presiding over his performance.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

At one point during this film, I was just in a perpetual eye-roll. It wasn't funny, endearing or even mildly entertaining. Why did they make this?

Rated: 1/5

Mar 17, 2022

Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

This was really offensive. The comedy was horrible and the concept was so problematic. Nothing about this "movie" made sense.

Rated: 1/5

Mar 17, 2022

Full Review

Patrick Taggart

Austin American-Statesman

Ultimately, "The Toy" will be remembered as a poor showcase for a couple of fine comedians.

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Unemployed journalist Jack Brown (Richard Pryor) is attempting to make ends meet as the night janitor in a ritzy department store owned by Louisiana millionaire U.S. Bates (Jackie Gleason). On his annual visit to his father's store, Bates' pampered son, Eric (Scott Schwartz), is told he can choose one item in the toy department. To everyone's horror, he chooses Jack. Paid handsomely to spend one week with the troublesome kid, Jack soon discovers the roots of Eric's bad behavior.

Director: Richard Donner
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Rastar Pictures, Delphi Film Foundation
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1982, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 39m

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