Customer Reviews

Plain Clothes [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

"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.

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.

When his teenage brother is wrongfully accused of murder, Detective Nick Dunbar (Arliss Howard) dons punk garb and heads back to high school in an effort to find the real killer. The mystery deepens as he encounters a host of possible suspects among the faculty and student body, but the whodunit plot twists aren't the main attraction here. Instead, watch Plain Clothes for its sly humor, eccentric characters, and unexpected flashes of insight. The film belongs to Arliss Howard, who turns in a subtle, sexy performance in a well-deserved starring role. Director Martha Coolidge supplies the same sensitivity and good humor that she brought to earlier films like Valley Girl and Real Genius, and the Scott Frank-Dan Vining screenplay creates a memorable assortment of characters and frees them to be as complex and quirky as real people. It's not a perfect film -- the plot grows convoluted and builds to a ridiculous climax -- but its charms well outweigh its flaws. Plain Clothes didn't win any Oscars or set any box office records, but it'll make you smile.

I got this film out on video some years ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It doesn't have the most exciting plot in the world but it is a fun film. Arliss Howard plays a youthful looking cop who goes back to school in order to prove his younger brother innocent of the murder of a teacher. However being a student in the 1980s isn't as easy as Arliss hopes it will be and he soon finds himself in trouble with the Principal and fellow students whilst falling in love with his pretty young English teacher. There are some hilarious moments in the film. One such moment happens when he knocks the Principal unconscious and ends up being paddled as punishment. Robert Stack does a great job as the bumbling Principal and his words to Arliss before he paddles him, "This will hurt me more than you," had me in stitches. Also Arliss has to ward off a pretty fellow student who sees him as her next conquest. The overall plot isn't complicated, and it is a little slow moving in parts but it's such a nice film you don't really mind. All the actors are competent and Arliss Howard is great as a cop with a lot on his plate. This is a nice little film that all the family will enjoy and is well worth seeing if you want something that is a little different and fun.

This is a really Shame Plain Clothes is'nt out on DVD yet. because it's a pretty excellent film and is who done it mystery thriller with a little humor sprink in to make it fun. i'm really surprised that it's not available in any other format other than VHS.

Please Paramount get with it and dig this one out of your vaults please!! i can't find this on Hulu or Youtube to jog my memory. it needs to be reissued for sure, a fun 80's picture. :) I like the det angle going back to school to find clues on a case. if you like that stuff, then this film is for you.

Update: they have this film on instant viewing on Netflix right now, but i still wish that it was available on DVD or Download restored to a fine print to watch. anyway i thought people should know.

It's been a long time since I seen this movie. I watched it last night with my 17-year nephew and he loved it. Even though it was a previously viewed vhs tape, the quality was excellent.

One of My Favorites, A young Detective while working undercover because he does not look old eneough to be a cop is notified that his Brother in High School is being arrested for murdering a teacher. A situation in which the Young Looking Detective decides he believes his Brother and goes Undercover in his Brother High School to find out Who really commited the Crime. He finds out being a Student in High School has changed since he was there and a comedy of situations happen to him. Great cast Arlis Howard, Suzy Amis, George Wendt, Diane Ladd and the Principal is played by Veteran Actor Robert Stack.

fast shipping product in great shape. i had been looking for this movie for years