Bill Cosby turned 75 today (July 12th), and that’s pretty awesome. “The Cosby Show” got a lot of play on my little black-and-white TV when I was a kid, so I have a soft spot for the guy’s work. However, while most people are celebrating the gifted comedian/actor’s more laudable endeavors, I think it’s a good time to discuss “Mr. Bean” director Paul Weiland’s 1987 box office disaster “Leonard Part 6”, a film which stars Bill Cosby as a secret agent sent to stop a madman from taking over the world. Sounds like a winner, right? Wrong!

Of course, I love “Leonard Part 6”, though I’m well aware of the fact that it’s a terrible motion pictures. Even Bill Cosby would agree with me on this one; when the film was released, he encouraged everyone in America not to see the film. In fact, so ashamed was Cosby by this theatrical misfire that he purchased the television rights to ensure that it would never appear on the small screen. That’s a lot of hate right there, my friend.

During its quick jaunt through North American cineplexes, the film earned around $4 million, which, given the film’s $24 million budget, isn’t necessarily a good thing. To add salt to the wound, the film won three Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Actor (Cosby), Worst Picture, and Worst Screenplay. Now you know why the guy loathes the film so much.

However, despite his undying hatred for the movie and his attempt to keep people from experiencing the agony for themselves, Columbia Pictures released “Leonard Part 6” on DVD back in 2005. Crackle is currently offering the film as a digital download for $7.99, though, to be perfectly honest, you can purchase a used copy from the Amazon Z-Shops for $1.98 before tax. Even then, I’d weigh that decision very carefully.

If you’re curious to see/learn more about the film, take a peek at all of the “Leonard Part 6”-related videos embedded below. And remember to wish Bill Cosby a happy birthday while you’re at it. You don’t get to be 75 without dropping a few cinematic bombs along the way.

Last, but not least, is Roger Ebert’s review of the film.