Pat Morita in Ohara (1987)

Coming off the phenomenal success of The Karate Kid (1986), Pat Morita sold this series he helped develop about an unusual police lieutenant who used eastern spiritual methods to solve crimes in Los Angeles. His inscrutable manner and non-violent techniques made for interesting stories and low ratings, though the series did hang on for two seasons, with multiple changes in format. Also featured in the show were Katherine Keener, Madge Sinclair and Robert Clohessy.

This series has never been released on DVD and full episodes are difficult to find. Above is an episode teaser and show open from later in the run uploaded by WREYtube. This one has a holiday theme. I thought it was appropriate, considering we're kicking off the holiday season!

Obscurity factor: 10 (hard to find, not on DVD, not well remembered)

Jerry Lewis & Madeline Kahn in Slapstick of Another Kind (1982)

I have to credit blog reader Leighton in making me aware of this adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut novel, called the worst film ever made by many reviewers. It features Jerry Lewis and Madeline Kahn playing a pair seemingly mentally deficient twins as well as their "beautiful people" parents. It's discovered that the twins aren't actually retarded, but are geniuses with the capacity to solve all the earth's problems. Themes of rejection, prejudice and short sighted lack of compassion for humanity run through the film, disguised by comedic gags and wacky goings-on.

MoviePosterShop.com

This film fails on many levels, though there are flashes of brilliance in some of the performances. The  impressive cast also including Marty Feldman, Jim Backus, Merv Griffin, Pat Morita, Virginia Graham and the voice of Orson Welles (uncredited).

Above are two trailers for the film, uploaded to YouTube by akiragp. It's available on VHS and there was a European release on DVD, but it's a region two, so won't play on some American players.

Obscurity factor: 9 (on DVD in Europe, limited distribution at time of release, not well remembered)