Two More Films, a Lot More Coincidences

I enjoyed reading Marshall Fine’s “Two Movie Families, 10 Coincidences” (Calendar, Nov. 21) in which he compared the strange similarities between two recent movie releases: “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Addams Family Values.” Although I must admit these movies share some common points, Fine missed the real target. He should have zeroed in on two other recent releases that are so much alike you’d think the only thing the screenwriters changed were the names. Consider instead “Dave” and “King Ralph.” I counted more than 30 similarities, but here are the 18 best ones:

“DAVE”

* When the movie opens we meet Dave, a two-bit entertainer.

* As the result of an untimely fatality, Dave, a common man, masquerades as President.

* Close aides teach Dave how to be President.

* A conspiracy develops to plot Dave’s ouster.

* Dave falls in love with the First Lady, a down-to-earth woman.

* The common sense of the common man endears Dave to leaders and citizens alike.

* Dave gets cabin fever and sneaks out of the White House.

* Dave’s lack of presidential experience trips him up, causing public embarrassment.

* Dave’s nemesis is an important political figure who wants to be President.

* The relationship between Dave and the First Lady is good, then it’s bad, then it’s good again.

* Dave discovers the plot against him.

* A loyal aide helps Dave plot against the plotters.

* The movie’s climax has Dave make an unusual appearance before a joint session of Congress.

* In his speech, Dave confesses his failings, exposes the plot against him, humiliates his antagonist and clears the name of his successor.

* The bad guy is abandoned by his colleagues.

* The vice president, by law, becomes President.

* The movie attempts to give us a greater appreciation for what it means to be a President.

* In the end, Dave gets the girl, who has money. “KING RALPH”

* When the movie opens we meet Ralph, a two-bit entertainer.

* As the result of a number of untimely fatalities, Ralph, a commoner, becomes King.

* A close aide teaches Ralph how to be King.

* A conspiracy develops to plot Ralph’s ouster.

* Ralph falls in love with a commoner, a down-to-earth woman.

* The common sense of the common man endears Ralph to leaders and citizens alike.

* Ralph gets cabin fever and sneaks out of the palace.

* Ralph’s lack of royal experience trips him up, causing public embarrassment.

* Ralph’s nemesis is an important political figure who wants to be King.

* The relationship between Ralph and his girl is good, then it’s bad, then it’s good again.

* Ralph discovers the plot against him.

* A loyal aide helps Ralph plot against the plotters.

* The movie’s climax has Ralph make an unusual appearance before Parliament.

* In his speech, Ralph confesses his failings, exposes the plot against him, humiliates his antagonist and handpicks his successor.

* The bad guy is abandoned by his colleagues.

* Ralph’s aide, by birthright, becomes King.

* The movie attempts to give us a greater appreciation for what it means to be a King.

* In the end, Ralph gets the girl and becomes a rich duke. Holy Movie Formula, Batman!