Wednesday, September 29, 2010
NOSTALGIA
Today's film was
with Peter O'Toole and Mark Linn-Baker.
This is a nostalgia movie about the 50s made 30 years ago in the 80s. I saw it when it came out and I wanted to see it again.
That is a lot of nostalgia.
The story is basically about how a lowly writer on a live comedy show baby-sits the alcoholic guest star for the rehearsal week and the final show.
It is based on the experiences of Mel Brooks who had the job of wrangling Errol Flynn for the Sid Caesar show.
It is very funny. Directed by Richard Benjamin.
O'Toole plays the star and it is pretty close to type casting.
This movie introduced Mark Linn-Baker. In those days they got an "Introducing" line at the bottom of the credits even though he was the star. A bright young comedic actor. He was on more than O'Toole but he didn't go much further than being "introduced". He is still working but has had a smallish career.
I like the film because it shows some backstage stuff to a favorite show when I was a kid. Sid Caesar was/is a great comic. The shows were chaotic and a little crazy because of all the wild energy found in live performance. They were always over the top.
Unlike SNL, they were not overly rehearsed. They had an on-the-edge quality. You expected the scenery to fall over and sometimes it did.
There is another film about this called Laughter on the 23d Floor. I may have to get it.
I will give this a 3 out of Netflix5. It is not likely to pass my way again.
Labels: films
