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Leonard Part 6 (1987) movie poster

Timeline

Leonard Part 6 (1987) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 85 mins · English
Directed by
Paul Weiland
Starring
John Hostetter, Tom Courtenay, George Kirby, Grace Zabriskie, Larry Gates, Obba Babatundé

After a bitter divorce, former spy Leonard Parker (Bill Cosby) has left the intelligence world to run a restaurant, but his estranged wife refuses to speak to him and his daughter—constantly changing careers—has started dating a man old enough to be Leonard’s father. Now the government summons him back to thwart a new global threat.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Leonard Part 6
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Leonard Part 6 (1987)

Where can you watch Leonard Part 6? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Leonard Part 6 Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Leonard Part 6 (1987) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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
  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
  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
  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

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:18

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Timeline questions answered

Leonard Part 6 Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Leonard Part 6 (1987): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is the movie called Leonard Part 6 when there's no series?

The title is a self-aware joke and parody of spy film franchises like James Bond. The opening sequence implies that five previous Leonard Parker films exist to protect world security, but in reality, this is the first and only film. This meta-gag establishes the movie's spoof tone and mocks the formula of numbered sequels.

Foreshadowing: The title itself signals the film's intent to subvert genre conventions from the very beginning.

  • leonard part 6
  • title
  • meta joke
  • spoof
  • sequel parody
Q2

How does Medusa Johnson's mind-control device work?

Medusa Johnson uses a device that enables 'brainwinds', a form of telepathic control that allows her to remotely command animals to attack and kill people. She uses this to assemble an animal army and carry out her criminal operations. Leonard steals this device during his infiltration of the tuna factory, temporarily gaining leverage before Medusa retaliates by kidnapping his wife.

  • mind-control device
  • brainwinds
  • medusa johnson
  • animal control
  • telepathy
Q3

Why does the CIA specifically need Leonard Parker to stop Medusa Johnson?

Director Snyderburn calls Leonard out of retirement because he possesses unique skills and experience dealing with international threats. Given Medusa's dangerous mind-control technology and the global nature of her operation, the CIA believes only someone with Leonard's spy expertise can infiltrate her hideout and recover the device. Leonard's reluctance stems from his desire for a peaceful civilian life running his restaurant.

  • cia
  • snyderburn
  • leonard parker
  • retired spy
  • mission
Q4

How does Leonard escape from the lobster torture?

After being captured and restrained during his rescue attempt at Johnson's headquarters, Leonard is tortured by lobsters. He uses the lobsters' natural claws to cut through his restraints, turning his captors' tool into his escape mechanism. This absurd solution exemplifies the film's comedic approach to action sequences.

  • lobsters
  • escape
  • torture
  • break free
  • hq rescue
Q5

What is the magic meat Leonard gets from the Gypsy?

Leonard obtains 'magic meat' from a Gypsy character, which he uses as a weapon during the final assault on Medusa's base. This magic meat incapacitates Medusa's henchmen, allowing Leonard and Alison to push forward in their counterstrike. The item fits the film's absurdist tone, treating a supernatural element as just another spy gadget.

  • magic meat
  • gypsy
  • weapon
  • henchmen
  • final battle
Q6

How does the ostrich rooftop escape sequence work?

After destroying Medusa's base, Leonard and Alison escape across the rooftops by riding an ostrich. The bird carries them from the roof down to solid ground outside the compound, allowing them to flee the exploding facility. The sequence is deliberately over-the-top and silly, fitting the film's comedic style of exaggerated action stunts.

  • ostrich
  • rooftop escape
  • flight
  • base destruction
  • action sequence
Q7

Why does Medusa kidnap Alison and force the CIA to return the device?

After Leonard steals the mind-control device, Medusa retaliates by kidnapping Leonard's wife Alison. She uses Alison as leverage to force the CIA into returning the device. This personal attack on Leonard raises the stakes and forces him to mount a rescue mission rather than simply completing the mission remotely.

  • alison
  • kidnap
  • leonard's wife
  • leverage
  • cia device
Q8

Why do Leonard and Alison reconcile at the end?

Leonard and Alison reconcile after he successfully rescues her from Medusa Johnson's captivity. Their shared ordeal, working together to escape and destroy the villain's operation, rebuilds the trust that was damaged by their bitter divorce. The ending shows them choosing to move forward together at his restaurant, providing a clean romantic resolution to the relationship subplot.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish their estranged relationship, with Alison refusing to speak to Leonard despite his attempts at reconciliation.

  • alison
  • reconciliation
  • marriage
  • restaurant
  • ending relationship
Q9

What happens to Medusa Johnson at the end of the film?

Medusa Johnson's base is destroyed when Leonard and Alison dump Alka-Seltzer into the animal-control chemical vats, causing a catastrophic reaction. The villain's operation is left in ruins, and she presumably perishes in the destruction. The film does not explicitly confirm her death, but her entire operation is eliminated.

  • medusa johnson
  • villain
  • defeat
  • destroyed base
  • ending
Q10

What is the deal with Leonard's daughter and her older boyfriend?

Leonard's daughter has started dating a man who is old enough to be Leonard's father. This serves as comedic context for Leonard's strained family situation and adds to the personal grievances that make his return to espionage less appealing. The detail highlights the generational awkwardness and family dysfunction that exists even before the main plot begins.

  • daughter
  • boyfriend
  • older man
  • family
  • divorce

Movie threads

More Movies Like Leonard Part 6, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Leonard Part 6 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Absurdist Spy Spoofs like Leonard Part 6

Outlandish spy parodies where heroes face ridiculous villains and scenarios. If you enjoyed the ridiculous villains and slapstick scenarios of Leonard Part 6, explore more movies like it in this thread. These films are fast-paced comedies that parody the spy genre with a lighthearted, absurdist touch, perfect for viewers seeking similar silly and playful stories.

  • silly
  • playful
  • slapstick
  • absurd
  • lighthearted
  • self-aware
  • Tone: whimsical, playful
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a classic spy mission structure but injects it with constant absurdity. A hero, often reluctant or retired, is called upon to stop a villain whose plans are comically over-the-top. The journey is a series of chaotic, humorous encounters that escalate in silliness, leading to a triumphant and happy resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared commitment to absurd humor within the spy genre framework. They lean into whimsical tones, fast pacing, and light emotional weight, creating a cohesive viewing experience defined by parody and playful execution rather than suspense or drama.

Movies about Redemption Through Absurd Heroism like Leonard Part 6

Flawed characters prove their worth by tackling bizarre, comedic challenges. This thread features movies like Leonard Part 6, where characters seek personal redemption by embracing absurd challenges. If you liked seeing Leonard mend his family life through ridiculous spy antics, you'll enjoy these similar stories that blend lighthearted character arcs with comedic, outlandish plots.

  • lighthearted
  • redemptive
  • comedic
  • absurd
  • feel-good
  • playful
  • Tone: lighthearted, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, eventful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative centers on a character's personal journey of reconciliation or self-worth, which is directly tied to their success in a comedic and improbable mission. The external, absurd conflict serves as a metaphor or direct catalyst for resolving internal, often familial, conflicts. The resolution is feel-good, with the character's heroic actions, however silly, leading to emotional healing.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their unique blend of a light emotional character arc with a farcical plot. They share a specific vibe where any potential seriousness in the character's dilemma is undercut by the humorous context, creating a uplifting and funny path to a happy ending.

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Movies Like Leonard Part 6

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Every angle

Leonard Part 6 (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Leonard Part 6 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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