Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Plot summary

Leonard Part 6 (1987) Plot Summary & Timeline

Leonard Part 6 (1987) movie poster

Leonard Part 6 is a 1987 action and comedy film directed by Paul Weiland and David Rowe, running 1 hour 25 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 229 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 13 key events in order, 5 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Leonard Part 6.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
13
characters profiled
5
themes explained
3
Loading streaming availability…
Leonard Part 6 (1987) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m
Directors
Paul Weiland and David Rowe
Genres
Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Leonard Part 6 About?

The premise of Leonard Part 6 in 321 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the quiet hum of a modest ­restaurant kitchen, Leonard Parker has swapped covert operations for the clatter of plates and the steady rhythm of a cash register. A bitter divorce has left him navigating a fragile peace with his estranged wife, while his teenage daughter tests the limits of his patience by dating a man old enough to be his father. The everyday absurdities of civilian life—late‑night diners, misbehaving appliances, and the occasional visit from nosy neighbors—contrast sharply with the shadowy world he once inhabited, creating a backdrop that feels both familiar and slightly off‑kilter.

Leonard’s past as a CIA operative lingers in the way he eyes a restless crowd and in the reflexes that surface when a customer’s order goes awry. The tone of his world balances tongue‑in‑cheek humor with a subtle undercurrent of tension, suggesting that even the most ordinary settings can conceal a spark of the extraordinary. The film’s style leans into a playful parody of classic spy tropes, allowing Leonard’s dry wit and dead‑pan demeanor to shine amid the chaos of his new routine.

When a summons arrives from the very agency he left behind, the lines between his two lives begin to blur. The government’s call hints at a looming global threat, offering Leonard a reluctant invitation back into a realm he thought he’d left for good. The prospect forces him to confront not only his own comfort zone but also the lingering resentment that still simmers between him and his former life.

As Leonard weighs the absurdity of returning to espionage against the responsibilities of his current world, the film teases a journey that will test his ingenuity, humor, and the fragile bridges he’s trying to rebuild with the people he cares about. The stage is set for a quirky, high‑stakes adventure that promises to blend slapstick mishaps with a dash of spy‑craft intrigue, all while keeping the focus on Leonard’s uniquely awkward heroism.

Full plot

What Happens in Leonard Part 6?

The complete story of Leonard Part 6, from the first scene to the last, in 229 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Leonard Parker, Bill Cosby, a retired CIA spy who now runs a modest restaurant, is pulled back into danger when his former boss, the CIA director Snyderburn, Joe Don Baker, asks him to stop a bizarre threat. The opening sequence playfully hints that this is the sixth installment of a supposed series, but in reality no previous Leonard films exist.

As the mission unfolds, Leonard learns that Medusa Johnson, Gloria Foster, brainwinds animals to kill people. He tracks her to the International Tuna factory, her hideout, where he encounters vegetarians dressed in bird costumes and “horny” bees, and manages to steal her mind-control device. Medusa retaliates by kidnapping Leonard’s wife, Alison, Pat Colbert. With the CIA pressing to recover the device, Leonard recruits laboratory rabbits to sabotage rival agents in a bid to reclaim the device.

He infiltrates Johnson’s headquarters again to rescue Alison, but is captured and tortured by lobsters. Using the lobsters’ claws to free himself, he escapes with Alison and launches a counterstrike: he wields magic meat obtained from a Gypsy to attack Medusa’s henchmen. Alison frees the captive animals, and together they destroy Medusa’s base by dumping Alka-Seltzer into the animal-control chemical vats. They make a dramatic rooftop escape as Leonard rides an ostrich, which carries him down to safety. Back at the restaurant, Leonard and Alison celebrate their reconciliation, choosing to move forward together.

Timeline

Leonard Part 6 Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

13 key events in the order they happen, from “Opening meta setup” to “Reconciliation at the restaurant”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.

  1. 1

    Opening meta setup

    The film opens with a meta gag about the title, implying this is the sixth installment of Leonard Parker’s adventures. It hints that previous films exist only to protect world security. This setup establishes the movie’s offbeat, self-referential tone from the start.

  2. 2

    Parker's retirement life at his restaurant

    Parker is shown retired, running a restaurant and enjoying domestic life. His routine is disrupted when he is summoned back into action by the CIA. The opening contrasts his peaceful life with the impending mission, setting up the central conflict.

    Where:Parker's restaurant

  3. 3

    CIA summons Parker to action

    The CIA director Snyderburn calls Parker out of retirement to save the world from Medusa Johnson. Parker agrees to take the mission, despite reluctance. The summons marks the transition from ordinary life to high-stakes espionage.

    Where:CIA headquarters

  4. 4

    Infiltration of the International Tuna factory

    Parker infiltrates the International Tuna factory, Medusa Johnson's hideout, to locate her operation and the mind-control device. The setting provides the backdrop for the film’s wacky action and tricked-out villains. He advances through security toward the device.

    Where:International Tuna factory

  5. 5

    Battle with bird-costumed vegetarians and bees

    Inside the factory, Parker battles vegetarians dressed as birds and accompanied by 'horny' bees. The bizarre fight sequences emphasize the film’s surreal humor. He presses on toward the mind-control device.

    Where:International Tuna factory

  6. 6

    Mind-control device is stolen

    Parker successfully steals Medusa’s mind-control device, securing a critical advantage. The heist appears to shift momentum, but Medusa’s plan remains in motion. His victory is tempered by the villain’s ongoing threat.

    Where:Medusa Johnson's hideout

  7. 7

    Alison kidnapped; CIA coerced

    Medusa kidnaps Parker’s wife Alison and uses the threat to force the CIA into returning the device. Parker faces a personal crisis as his family becomes leverage for the enemy. The stakes rise as he redoubles his efforts to recover both Alison and the device.

    Where:Medusa Johnson's hideout

  8. 8

    Rabbits revolt: lab attack

    To regain the mind-control device, Parker enlists laboratory rabbits to attack CIA agents. The plan blends absurd humor with a counterintelligence twist. The scenes push Parker toward the next confrontation.

    Where:CIA laboratory

  9. 9

    Rescue attempt; lobsters torture

    Parker infiltrates Johnson’s headquarters again to rescue Alison but is captured and tortured by lobsters. He uses the lobsters’ claws to escape from the restraints, turning the tide in his favor. Alison meanwhile frees captive animals, contributing to the fight.

    Where:Johnson's headquarters

  10. 10

    Liberation and base destruction

    Freed from captivity, Parker uses Gypsy’s magic meat to incapacitate henchmen, while Alison’s actions help unleash the captive animals. The pair work together to destroy the base by flooding the animal-control vats with Alka-Seltzer. The destruction leaves the villain’s operation in ruins.

    Where:Johnson's HQ

Show the other 3 events of Leonard Part 6
  1. 11

    Ostrich rooftop escape

    They escape by riding an ostrich across the roof, with the bird bearing them toward safety. The stunt underscores the film’s silly, over-the-top action style. The ostrich later carries Parker to the ground outside the compound.

    Where:Johnson's HQ rooftop

  2. 12

    Ground escape to freedom

    Outside the burning facility, the ostrich’s flight ends on solid ground as they slip away from danger. The immediate threat to Parker’s family fades as they move toward resolution. The sequence wraps up the action threads.

    Where:Outside the base

  3. 13

    Reconciliation at the restaurant

    Parker and Alison reconcile and celebrate at his restaurant. The ending returns to domestic life, closing the loop on their relationship. The film finishes on a light, celebratory note.

    Where:Parker's restaurant

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Leonard Part 6?

5 characters, among them Leonard Parker (Bill Cosby), Allison Parker (Pat Colbert) and Medusa Johnson (Gloria Foster): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • LP

    Leonard Parker (Bill Cosby)

    Played by Bill Cosby

    Retired CIA spy who now runs a restaurant; reluctantly returns to action when CIA director Snyderburn calls him. He relies on wit and unorthodox tactics to outmaneuver Medusa and her henchmen, driven by loyalty to his wife and a sense of justice.

    • 🕵️ Spy
    • 🍽️ Restaurant owner
  • AP

    Allison Parker (Pat Colbert)

    Played by Pat Colbert

    Leonard's wife who becomes a focal point when Medusa abducts her. Her resilience and support motivate Leonard to pursue the mission, and she aids in the plot by freeing captive animals and challenging the antagonist.

    • ❤️ Spouse
    • 💪 Resilience
  • MJ

    Medusa Johnson (Gloria Foster)

    Played by Gloria Foster

    Evil vegetarian mastermind who brainwashes animals to kill people. She kidnaps Leonard's wife to extort the CIA and fights to keep the mind-control device, using cunning and theatrical menace.

    • 🧪 Mind Control
  • S(

    Snyderburn (Joe Don Baker)

    Played by Joe Don Baker

    CIA director who calls Leonard out of retirement to save the world. He embodies the high-stakes world of espionage and authority, driving the mission forward.

    • 🎖️ Authority
  • Obba Babatundé as Bongo Drummer (Obba Babatundé) in Leonard Part 6

    Bongo Drummer (Obba Babatundé)

    Played by Obba Babatundé

    Part of Medusa's henchman ensemble, providing rhythmic accompaniment to chaotic actions and contributing to the film's slapstick energy.

    • 🥁 Music
    • 🎭 Henchman
Setting

Where and When Is Leonard Part 6 Set?

Leonard Part 6 is set in International Tuna Factory (Medusa Johnson's hideout), Leonard's Restaurant and…. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

International Tuna Factory (Medusa Johnson's hideout), Leonard's Restaurant, CIA Headquarters

The International Tuna Factory serves as Medusa Johnson's high-security hideout and a satirical backdrop for espionage. Leonard's Restaurant anchors the domestic side of the story, contrasting retirement with action. CIA headquarters and related facilities provide the procedural setting for the missions and interrogations that drive the plot.

  • 🏭 Industrial
  • 🕵️ Espionage
  • 🐟 Food industry
Themes

What Are the Themes of Leonard Part 6?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mind Control, Duty and Animal Allies.

  1. 01

    Mind Control

    Medusa Johnson weaponizes a mind-control device to bend animals to her will, turning them into threats. The plot hinges on stealing back this device and preventing further manipulation. The theme critiques how technological power can manipulate minds and shape dangerous outcomes.

  2. 02

    Duty

    Despite retirement, Leonard is drawn back into action by a sense of duty and the personal stakes at hand. His mission tests loyalty, courage, and his willingness to risk safety for others. The tension between domestic life and espionage drives the narrative.

  3. 03

    Animal Allies

    Animals play a pivotal and comical role, from lab rabbits to lobsters, influencing the chase and battles. Their involvement underscores the absurdity of mind-control schemes and the unpredictability of combat. The film uses animal antics to propel both action and humor, while signaling a critique of manipulation.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Leonard Part 6?

Whimsical in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Whimsical
Pacing
Fast
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced and absurd spy spoof filled with slapstick comedy, eccentric villains, and outlandish scenarios, culminating in a playful and lighthearted reconciliation.

  • absurd
  • slapstick
  • playful
  • silly
  • eccentric
  • lighthearted
  • spoof
  • retired spy
  • global threat
  • reconciliation

Content notes: kidnapping, animal attack, torture.

Quiz

How well do you remember Leonard Part 6? Test yourself on the story.

Take the quiz
Loading streaming availability…
Read next

Movies Like Leonard Part 6 With a Plot Summary

6 films close to Leonard Part 6 in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: Sixty Million Dollar Man (1995) and Clifford (1994) lead.

All plot summaries

Missing a Movie Plot Summary?

Tell us which film you want explained next: the full story, the timeline, the characters and the ending.

Request a summary
FAQ

Leonard Part 6 Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Leonard Part 6, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Leonard Part 6 about?

In the quiet hum of a modest ­restaurant kitchen, Leonard Parker has swapped covert operations for the clatter of plates and the steady rhythm of a cash register.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Leonard Part 6 take place?

Leonard Part 6 is set in International Tuna Factory (Medusa Johnson's hideout), Leonard's Restaurant and CIA… The International Tuna Factory serves as Medusa Johnson's high-security hideout and a satirical backdrop for espionage. Leonard's Restaurant anchors the domestic side of the story, contrasting retirement with action.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Leonard Part 6?

The story follows Leonard Parker (Bill Cosby) (played by Bill Cosby), Allison Parker (Pat Colbert) (played by Pat Colbert), Medusa Johnson (Gloria Foster) (played by Gloria Foster) and Snyderburn (Joe Don Baker) (played by Joe Don Baker); the character guide covers 5 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Leonard Part 6?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Mind Control, Duty and Animal Allies.

The themes explained

Who directed Leonard Part 6?

Leonard Part 6 (1987) was directed by Paul Weiland and David Rowe and runs 1 hour 25 minutes.

Paul Weiland’s films

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app