Project ALF
Encyclopedia
Project: ALF is a 1996 ABC
TV movie directed by Dick Lowry
. It is the sequel to the final episode, "Consider Me Gone" (1990
), of the ALF TV series
. The film was released on DVD
in 2005.
finishes, with Gordon Shumway—otherwise known by the name ALF, standing for Alien Life Form—being captured by the US Air Force's Alien Task Force while attempting to depart Earth. ALF is kept under lock and key at Edmonds Air Force Base under the xenophobic orders of Colonel Milfoil (Martin Sheen
), although he manages to charm his airmen jailers and convert his cell into a bachelor pad. Acting on his own initiative, Milfoil plans on killing his prisoner under the guise of a beauty treatment for which he has left a paper trail implicating his aide de camp, Lieutenant Reese (Scott Michael Campbell), as scapegoat.
Learning of this, two Air Force scientists—Major Mellisa Hill (Jensen Daggett
) and Captain Capt. Rick Mullican (William O'Leary
) — help ALF escape, going to ground at a cheap motel. After ALF makes a nuisance of himself, he is ordered to "Go hide in the restroom!" an order that reminds him of when the Tanners would give him similar directions. Unwilling to do without his creature comforts, ALF sneaks outside and contacts one of his former guards in an attempt to arrange a supply drop, before mistakenly entering a Strip Club
assuming from its name that it is an eating establishment that serves cats.
With both the local police and the military alerted, the three of them turn to Dexter Moyers (Miguel Ferrer
), a former NASA scientist falsely discredited by the government as part of the anti-UFO conspiracy. His solution is to publicly reveal ALF's existence on global television, removing the US Government's credibility and vindicating himself, but Rick grows increasingly uncomfortable with the idea. After accidentally stumbling across a computer file that hints at a deeper agenda, Rick departs during the night. The following day, he contacts a friend at Edmonds, aware that Milfoil will be monitoring the conversation and come directly to him. As predicted, he is arrested shortly after and brokers a deal exchanging safe conduct for the three fugitives in return for revealing the impending broadcast.
Meanwhile, Mellisa learns that Moyers has set up a secret auction alongside the broadcast, intending to sell the alien to the highest bidder. After she refuses to take part, he imprisons her. Alf, unaware of the betrayal, revels in being the center of attention until stage fright and the increasing hostility of his host result in ALF locking himself in the bathroom which provides the military with the time to shut down the broadcast. Both Melissa and ALF are arrested, and Milfoil reneges on the deal. In doing so, he unwittingly reveals his murderous intentions on a security recording which finds its way into the hands of Lt. Reese.
Back at Edmonds, Milfoil gloats that ALF's escape means he will be able to convince his superiors to have the alien executed openly, Milfoil's hatred being revealed as seeking payback for his mother going mad as the result of alleged alien abduction. However, Reese interrupts a meeting between Milfoil and General Stone to play the tape, revealing the Colonel's malfeasance.
The final scene with a military panel authorizing promotions for the three officers involved in taking down the Milfoil, and apologizing to ALF before declaring him an ambassador to Earth. Naturally, the scene ends with ALF's usual self-aggrandizing behavior leaving the people on the panel to wonder if they've made the right choice.
in a minor role; Walston had played the role of a stranded alien in the classic 1960s TV series My Favorite Martian
, on which certain elements of the original ALF series were loosely inspired.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
TV movie directed by Dick Lowry
Dick Lowry
Dick Lowry is an American director and film producer.-Productions:*1980: Kenny Rogers as The Gambler *1983: Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues *1983: Smokey and the Bandit Part 3...
. It is the sequel to the final episode, "Consider Me Gone" (1990
1990 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1990-91 United States network television schedule.The year 1990 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1990.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
), of the ALF TV series
ALF (TV series)
ALF is an American science fiction sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990, created by Paul Fusco. The title character was Gordon Shumway, a friendly extraterrestrial nicknamed ALF , who crash lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family.The series starred Max...
. The film was released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in 2005.
Plot
The film begins where the original television seriesALF (TV series)
ALF is an American science fiction sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990, created by Paul Fusco. The title character was Gordon Shumway, a friendly extraterrestrial nicknamed ALF , who crash lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family.The series starred Max...
finishes, with Gordon Shumway—otherwise known by the name ALF, standing for Alien Life Form—being captured by the US Air Force's Alien Task Force while attempting to depart Earth. ALF is kept under lock and key at Edmonds Air Force Base under the xenophobic orders of Colonel Milfoil (Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
), although he manages to charm his airmen jailers and convert his cell into a bachelor pad. Acting on his own initiative, Milfoil plans on killing his prisoner under the guise of a beauty treatment for which he has left a paper trail implicating his aide de camp, Lieutenant Reese (Scott Michael Campbell), as scapegoat.
Learning of this, two Air Force scientists—Major Mellisa Hill (Jensen Daggett
Jensen Daggett
Jensen Daggett is an American film and television actress. Standing 5' 6", she performed as a comedic and dramatic actress.-Biography:After studying theater at Agoura High School in in Agoura Hills, California, Daggett moved to Los Angeles after her 18th birthday to study at the Stella Adler...
) and Captain Capt. Rick Mullican (William O'Leary
William O'Leary (actor)
William O'Leary is an American actor. Bill made his Broadway debut as "Art" in "Precious Sons" at the Longacre Theatre, starring Ed Harris and Judith Ivey....
) — help ALF escape, going to ground at a cheap motel. After ALF makes a nuisance of himself, he is ordered to "Go hide in the restroom!" an order that reminds him of when the Tanners would give him similar directions. Unwilling to do without his creature comforts, ALF sneaks outside and contacts one of his former guards in an attempt to arrange a supply drop, before mistakenly entering a Strip Club
Strip club
A strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
assuming from its name that it is an eating establishment that serves cats.
With both the local police and the military alerted, the three of them turn to Dexter Moyers (Miguel Ferrer
Miguel Ferrer
Miguel José Ferrer is an American actor and voice actor who is often cast as a villain. His notable roles include Bob Morton, a supporting character in RoboCop , the short tempered FBI agent Albert Rosenfield in Twin Peaks, and Dr...
), a former NASA scientist falsely discredited by the government as part of the anti-UFO conspiracy. His solution is to publicly reveal ALF's existence on global television, removing the US Government's credibility and vindicating himself, but Rick grows increasingly uncomfortable with the idea. After accidentally stumbling across a computer file that hints at a deeper agenda, Rick departs during the night. The following day, he contacts a friend at Edmonds, aware that Milfoil will be monitoring the conversation and come directly to him. As predicted, he is arrested shortly after and brokers a deal exchanging safe conduct for the three fugitives in return for revealing the impending broadcast.
Meanwhile, Mellisa learns that Moyers has set up a secret auction alongside the broadcast, intending to sell the alien to the highest bidder. After she refuses to take part, he imprisons her. Alf, unaware of the betrayal, revels in being the center of attention until stage fright and the increasing hostility of his host result in ALF locking himself in the bathroom which provides the military with the time to shut down the broadcast. Both Melissa and ALF are arrested, and Milfoil reneges on the deal. In doing so, he unwittingly reveals his murderous intentions on a security recording which finds its way into the hands of Lt. Reese.
Back at Edmonds, Milfoil gloats that ALF's escape means he will be able to convince his superiors to have the alien executed openly, Milfoil's hatred being revealed as seeking payback for his mother going mad as the result of alleged alien abduction. However, Reese interrupts a meeting between Milfoil and General Stone to play the tape, revealing the Colonel's malfeasance.
The final scene with a military panel authorizing promotions for the three officers involved in taking down the Milfoil, and apologizing to ALF before declaring him an ambassador to Earth. Naturally, the scene ends with ALF's usual self-aggrandizing behavior leaving the people on the panel to wonder if they've made the right choice.
Cast
- Paul FuscoPaul FuscoPaul Fusco is an American puppeteer, voice-over artist and character actor who is best known as the voice, creator, and puppeteer of ALF...
- ALF - William O'LearyWilliam O'Leary (actor)William O'Leary is an American actor. Bill made his Broadway debut as "Art" in "Precious Sons" at the Longacre Theatre, starring Ed Harris and Judith Ivey....
- Captain Dr. Rick Mullican - Jensen DaggettJensen DaggettJensen Daggett is an American film and television actress. Standing 5' 6", she performed as a comedic and dramatic actress.-Biography:After studying theater at Agoura High School in in Agoura Hills, California, Daggett moved to Los Angeles after her 18th birthday to study at the Stella Adler...
- Major Dr. Melissa Hill - Martin SheenMartin SheenRamón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
- Colonel Gilbert Milfoil - Scott Michael Campbell - 2nd Lieutenant Harold Reese
- Beverly ArcherBeverly ArcherBeverly Archer is an American actress.She was born in Oak Park, Illinois. She attended San Francisco State University and UC Santa Barbara where she majored in drama....
- Dr. Carnage - Charles RobinsonCharles Robinson (actor)Charles "Charlie" Robinson is a critically acclaimed American theater and television actor. He is best known for his role as Mac Robinson in the NBC sitcom Night Court...
- Dr. Stanley - Liz Coke - Nina
- John SchuckJohn SchuckConrad John Schuck Jr. is an American actor, primarily in stage, movies and television. He is best-known for his roles as police commissioner Rock Hudson's mildly slow-witted assistant, Sgt. Charles Enright in the 1970s crime drama McMillan & Wife, and as Lee Meriwether's husband, Herman Munster...
- Gen. Myron Stone - Markus RedmondMarkus RedmondMarkus Redmond is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Raymond Alexander, in the comedy-drama series Doogie Howser, M.D. co-created by Steven Bochco. Redmond joined the cast at the start of the show's second season in 1990 until the series ended in 1993. He worked with Bochco again...
- Sgt. Rhomboid - Eric Avari - Rocket (voice)
- Ed Begley, Jr.Ed Begley, Jr.Edward James "Ed" Begley, Jr. is an American actor and environmentalist. Begley has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage performances. He is best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, on the television series St...
- Dr. Warner - Ray WalstonRay WalstonRay Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J...
- Motel Manager - Miguel FerrerMiguel FerrerMiguel José Ferrer is an American actor and voice actor who is often cast as a villain. His notable roles include Bob Morton, a supporting character in RoboCop , the short tempered FBI agent Albert Rosenfield in Twin Peaks, and Dr...
- Dexter Moyers - Dell Yount
- Michael Weatherred
- Gregory Alan WilliamsGregory Alan WilliamsGregory Alan Williams is an American actor and author. Williams is best known for portraying Garner Ellerbee in the syndicated series Baywatch.-Early life and acting career:...
- Ahmet ZappaAhmet ZappaAhmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa is an American musician, actor and novelist.-Early life:Ahmet was born in Los Angeles, California, the third of four children born to businesswoman Adelaide Gail Sloatman and musician Frank Zappa. Ahmet's father was of Sicilian, Greek-Arab and French descent and his...
- Card Guard #2
Connection to original series and other media
One occasional guest star from the TV series did return: Beverly Archer, who had previously played neighbor Mrs. Myrna Byrd in two episodes of the ALF series and was the only actress from the show to return in the movie (even though Mrs. Byrd never met ALF), albeit in a different role. Ironically, the TV movie featured actor Ray WalstonRay Walston
Ray Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J...
in a minor role; Walston had played the role of a stranded alien in the classic 1960s TV series My Favorite Martian
My Favorite Martian
My Favorite Martian is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1963 to May 1, 1966 for 107 episodes...
, on which certain elements of the original ALF series were loosely inspired.