Jack the Bear

Jack the Bear is a 1993 comedy-drama film starring Danny DeVito. It is based on a novel by Dan McCall. Jack Leary (Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.), his younger brother Dylan Leary (Miko Hughes) and father John (Danny DeVito) start over in 1972 Oakland following the death of the boys' mother. John is a comedy/horror TV personality, entertaining his viewing audience during horror movies. He is devoted to his two sons, though his drinking problem disrupt... more

Jack the Bear is a 1993 comedy-drama film starring Danny DeVito. It is based on a novel by Dan McCall. Jack Leary (Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.), his younger brother Dylan Leary (Miko Hughes) and father John (Danny DeVito) start over in 1972 Oakland following the death of the boys' mother. John is a comedy/horror TV personality, entertaining his viewing audience during horror movies. He is devoted to his two sons, though his drinking problem disrupts the smooth running of the household, as some of his parental duties fall to Jack. A neighbor, Norman Strick (Gary Sinise) shows up at their home one Halloween evening, seeking a donation for a racially-prejudiced candidate. John refuses, and shuts the door in Norman's face. Obviously bothered that Norman lives across the street, John gets drunk, and his performance on his TV show mimics the racially-charged beliefs of his neo-Nazi neighbor. He is subsequently asked to take time off from his show. The morning after John's performance, Jack... less