This is such a cute movie. By the standards of today, it is not much of a movie. No nudity, no violence, no cursing, nothing explodes. But that’s why I love this movie so much. It takes us back to a supposedly innocent time and lets us enjoy ourselves for about an hour and a half.

The setting is New York, 1954. A young comedy writer, Benjy Stone (A very young Mark Linn Baker in one of his first roles) works for a mildly crazy comedian on a variety show of the sort that many young people today have never heard of, much less seen. Benjy gets a chance to meet his movie idol Alan Swann (played flawlessly by Peter O’Toole) who also happens to be a complete and total lush. Much hilarity ensues when Benjy is told to look after Swann, which is a job and a half in itself. One of the priceless parts of the movie is when Benjy takes Alan to eat at his folks house (A typical movie Jewish mom, married to, of all things, a Filipino welter weight boxer)

There are a few touching moments, Swann trying to help Benjy woo the woman he loves, Swann getting in touch with his daughter he hasn’t seen in years.

But mostly it’s a fun and FUNNY trip into comedy’s recent past.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8