The Toy

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The Toy

PG,

1982,

1h 42m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

3%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

3%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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.

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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Michael Maza

Arizona Republic

Jun 15, 2021

It is what they call a major disappointment.

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Alex Keneas

Newsday

Jun 15, 2021

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

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Jun 15, 2021

2/4

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.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 7, 2026

Pryor, Gleason, and the rest of us deserve far better than this loud, unfunny movie.

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Mar 17, 2022

1/5

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?

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

Mar 17, 2022

1/5

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

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Ron P

Nov 29, 2017

Dumb toy movie and an ok story.

Abraham S

Nov 20, 2017

One of the best films I've seen for Richard Prior.

Rey P

Oct 17, 2007

Clearly, heavy-handed social commentary, cheesy slapstick and kiddie comedy aren't the most compatible of components to shoehorn into one movie.

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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

Chairman of the Board

14%

20%

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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
Producer: Phil Feldman
Production Co: Rastar Pictures, Delphi Film Foundation, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 1982, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 42m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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