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Doin' Time

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
4.8/10
309
YOUR RATING
Doin' Time (1985)
Comedy

Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo, more or less ruled by the prisoners themselves.Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo, more or less ruled by the prisoners themselves.Duke Jarrett is sent to jail at the John Dillinger prison. However, the prison looks more like a zoo, more or less ruled by the prisoners themselves.

  • Director
    • George Mendeluk
  • Writers
    • Franelle Silver
    • Ron Zwang
    • George Mendeluk
  • Stars
    • Muhammad Ali
    • Jeff Altman
    • Henry Bal
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.8/10
    309
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Mendeluk
    • Writers
      • Franelle Silver
      • Ron Zwang
      • George Mendeluk
    • Stars
      • Muhammad Ali
      • Jeff Altman
      • Henry Bal
    • 7User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top cast54

    Edit
    Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali
    • Boxer Muhammad Ali Cameo
    Jeff Altman
    Jeff Altman
    • Duke Jarrett
    Henry Bal
    • Guard Kowinski
    Gene Bell
    • Vaudevillan
    Big Yank
    • Bubba Feldstein
    Simmy Bow
    • Snake Eyes
    Drew Bundini Brown
    Drew Bundini Brown
    • Drew Bundini Brown (special appearance)
    David Lee Bynum
    • Prisoner
    Colleen Camp
    Colleen Camp
    • Nancy Catlett
    Max Carl
    • Vocalist
    Melanie Chartoff
    Melanie Chartoff
    • Linda Libel
    Robert Clotworthy
    Robert Clotworthy
    • Attorney
    Dee Cooper
    Dee Cooper
    • Truck Driver
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    Ji-Tu Cumbuka
    • Bernie Feldstein
    Robert Czakel
    • Duke's Trainer
    Eugene S. David Jr.
    • Prisoner
    Dora Denney
    • Martha
    Melinda O. Fee
    Melinda O. Fee
    • Denise
    • Director
      • George Mendeluk
    • Writers
      • Franelle Silver
      • Ron Zwang
      • George Mendeluk
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    4.8309
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9Tony Rome

    Crazy funny movie

    This film was extremely underrated when it was first released back in the 1980's. This movie used to play on HBO many times. I can't believe no one reviewed this film on IMDb previously. Pat McCormick is hysterical as the warden of the jail, who is then replaced by Richard Mulligan. Richard Mulligan is hilarious as Mongo the warden. Jimmy Walker is also funny. The scene on the rock pile where Mike Mazurski tells John Vernon how much he likes him is a gem. The humor is silly low brow stuff, but in any case this film deserves a DVD release. I have it on VHS in an oversize Warner Bros clamshell box still. *** Worth a look.
    6DarylJGittings

    Long forgotten '80s comedy

    Salesman, Duke Jarrett has the misfortune of landing in the wrong bed. When the husband catches him, she cries rape and off to prison Duke goes.

    Doin' Time (1985) is modeled after the popular comedies of the time, like Police Academy and Animal House.

    The prison that Duke is sent to is basically run by the inmates, that is until a new warden, Mongo (Richard Mulligan), takes over.

    As of 2025, Warner Bros has not issued Doin' Time on DVD or Blu-ray. If you wish to watch it you'll have to get a copy of it on VHS.
    Wizard-8

    An absolutely terrible comedy!

    "Doin' Time" was handled by the same production outfit that in the previous year gave us "Police Academy". Obviously, the idea was to spoof prison movies in the same way that "Police Academy" spoofed police movies. However, the movie in comparison makes the "Police Academy" sequels look like comedy classics. The movie is a real mess; there's barely any plot, and the shoddy editing shows no clear direction and gives the impression that the filmmakers were making things up as they went along. But the biggest problem is with the humor. The closest the movie gets to generating a laugh is with the Elvis impersonator who sings in front of the prison's parole board, though in the end even that gag fails as much as the other attempts at humor. The other gags in the movie are even more lame as well as unimaginatively conceived and executed. To sum up, this movie is a really cheap and amateurish effort by all involved; even the close- captions for the movie are unprofessionally done! Only for those who want to see John Vernon do a near nude scene.
    2PeterMitchell-506-564364

    85 comedy misfire

    In 85, we had Night Patrol, Moving Violations, and this. All I can say is thank god we have Jeff Altman, the film's only saving grace. Altman is a door to door salesman, caught in the wrong house in the wrong bed with the wrong woman who screams rape. This hot middle aged philly at first lures Altman to the bedroom, so you can probably imagine, just how angry he feels when he ends up in the clink, amongst some well known faces, like John Vernon and JJ from good times, amidst other comedy stars of this 8O's type. The philly gets her just desserts later in a funny scene. You'll get the pun when you see it. In this insane prison, run by an evil warden, Mulligan, it actually turns out to be a real fun environment, where eggs are cooked on electric chairs, rock bands perform and the prisoners have their own t.v. station. Jeff Altman adds his own funny parts too, his full body inspection farting scene is good. But Doin' Time is a pretty weak comedy, and runs third place to the other comedies. A lot of intentional funny moments fall flat on their face. I like the prison band, the lead singer singing I'm all f..ked up instead of shook up, raised a few laughs, where there's a far and a few between. Also Judy Landers flashing her two prized assets in front of Mulligan, in his office, getting him so hot, he has to make a few runs to the bathroom is another funny scene. But this film is just a weak effort. I watched this film a few times, in most cases, never really getting to the end of it, which I found a hard process. Take my advice. See the other two films mentioned above, before seeing this one. You may have a difference of opinion, but I would be talking about a very small majority here. May'be we should have the film's director do some time, in a non fun environment.
    arfdawg-1

    Wow So 80's

    This is a typical 80's romp. Bad music and the like. I watched this for Ali but he's not even in the credits! He shows up for like 10 seconds towards the end. He must have been repaying a mafia bill to be in this movie.

    I guess it's supposed to be a wacky comedy, but it's just bad. It's filled with lots of second bananas you'll recognize from Carson and other TV of the time. Jimmy Walker is another. Landers.

    To be honest I found myself fast forwarding here and there. That's how bad it was.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The map on the wall in Mongo Mitchell's office is a Thomas Brothers map of Orange County, California.
    • Quotes

      Vocalist: [singing to the beat of Elvis' "All Shook Up"] Got a little letter from a sweetie pie. Told me that she loved me, I'm her favorite guy. Likes me cuz I'm evil and so screwed up. Uh huh, I'm all fucked up. Uh huh, oooh, oh yeah, I'm all fucked up. I was stealing cars at the age of ten. Took me off the street and put me in the pen. I don't think I could ever give it all up. Uh huh, I'm all fucked up. Uh huh, oooh, oh yeah, I'm all fucked up.

    • Connections
      Spoofs White Heat (1949)
    • Soundtracks
      Breakin' Out
      Written by Max Carl and Andrew Kastner

      Performed by Jack Mack and The Heart Attack

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Doin' Time?Powered by Alexa
    • DVD?????

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 19, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Big House
    • Filming locations
      • Culver City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ladd Company
      • Filmcorp Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 21m(81 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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