Product Details

• Actors: Arliss Howard, Suzy Amis, George Wendt, Diane Ladd, Seymour Cassel
• Directors: Martha Coolidge
• Writers: Dan Vining, Scott Frank, e.e. cummings
• Producers: Don Goldman, Michael Manheim, Richard Wechsler, Steven-Charles Jaffe
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301133404
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,676 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a wacky, cameo-filled comedy you've got to see!, March 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Plain Clothes [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you've already seen this movie, you probably stumbled onto it on cable, or you've worked your way through the comedy section of your video store and figured, "why not?" Most people probably haven't heard of it, but it has enough recognizable actors and an entertaining plot that you'd be missing out not to see it. Arliss Howard is subtly hilarious as a cop reluctantly going undercover to prove his kid brother's innocence of a murder at his high school. Watch this movie with attention to the details, such as the p.a. announcements at school delivered by Robert Stack ("Unsolved Mysteries" fame). You may think the plot doesn't hurry up & get anywhere fast at some points, but I've seen movies that are much more tedious and less humorous. This movie brought Arliss Howard to my attention, and whenever I see him in a new movie (or a movie that's new to me), I remember him as "the guy from PLAIN CLOTHES." Some of those actors you'll recognize who may not get top billing are: Diane Ladd, George Wendt ("Cheers"), Suzy Amis (recently in TITANIC and now involved with director James Cameron), Abe Vigoda, and of course, Robert Stack.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, but a great 'sleeper' mystery-comedy, January 9, 2005

By 

Canuck Teach "canuck_teach (-: :-)" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plain Clothes [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Plain Clothes" is a quirky mystery-comedy. It has always been a favourite around our house, but it's difficult to find another house that has seen it! Arliss Howard is perfect as Nick Dunbar, a 'young-looking' undercover detective who must go 'plain clothes' into an odd high school to find evidence to clear his brother on a murder rap. Turns out the staff at this school are all a bit wacky and include the likes of George Wendt, Dianne Ladd, Abe Vigoda, Harry Shearer and Robert Stack (over a live PA system: "Is this thing on? Now bombing Moscow"). No shortage of suspects. Add to this: Nick doesn't like teens or kids - never did - never was one himself, apparently! He draws the ire of the local 'frat' boys, who don't know what they're up against. And watch for a hilarious scene in which Nick decides to convince everyone that he's for real by presenting his 'metaphor' homework. ahem. Language class was never like this in my town.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant surprise - see it!, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Plain Clothes [VHS] (VHS Tape)

You've probably never heard of Plain Clothes and may have passed over it hundreds of times in your video store, but it's actually a surprisingly good movie - quirky characters (played by talented, but underrated actors such as Arliss Howard, Susie Amis, Loren Dean etc), crazy plot and a fantastic recitation of e.e. cummings "She being brand" were enough to make me a fan.