Arthur 2: On The Rocks (1988)

An alcoholic millionaire (Dudley Moore) is happily married to his wife (Liza Minnelli). But the vengeful father (Stephen Elliott) of the girl (Cynthia Sikes) he jilted takes over the millionaire's family company and allows the family to keep their millions but only if the alcoholic is disinherited. A sequel to the 1981 hit comedy ARTHUR and directed by Bud Yorkin (DIVORCE AMERICAN STYLE). The original ARTHUR was a modestly amusing comedy bolstered by the performances of John Gielgud (who won an Oscar for his performance) and Liza Minnelli. Its one joke premise of a wealthy but amusing drunk who needs to grow up charmed audiences. But once is enough and the sequel tanked. The premise of ARTHUR 2 may be darker but somehow Dudley Moore's alcoholic playboy just isn't amusing the second time around. In fact, he's irritating. The film resurrects John Gielgud (who died in the 1981 movie) as a ghost but that doesn't help. A case of leaving well enough alone. Perhaps if the sequel had come out a year or two later but seven years later, its audience had moved on. With Kathy Bates, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jack Gilford, Ted Ross and Paul Benedict.