Something appealing. Something appalling. Something for everyone a comedy tonight! “One ofthe hottest burlesque shows that ever hit Broadway” (Time) comes to the screen showcasing the enormous talents of Tony AwardÂ(r) winner Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford (Cocoon), Buster Keaton and Michael Crawford (Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera”). Featuring keenly clever tunes like “Comedy Tonight” and “Lovely,” this wild Stephen Sondheim musical about a raucous gaggle of ancient Romans is a “flip, glib and sophisticated, yet rump-slapping bawdy and fast-paced look at the seamy underside of classical Rome through hipster’s shades” (Variety).When a wily, witty, lying, lazy, cheating slave discovers that his master’s son is in love with thegirl next doora virgin courtesanhe promises to help win her heart in exchange for his freedom. But the road to romance is blocked with stunning surprises, cunning disguisesand the wildest chariot race ever!
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Pinned on November 19, 2013 at 4:52 pm by Kay Alarcon
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Comments
Even Better Than I Remembered It To Be Great fun musical comedy loosely based on T. Maccius Plautus’ 2nd century B.C. comedy “Miles Gloriosus” (“Braggart Warrior”).The widescreen format lets you see pratfalls and edge-of-scene antics that are missing in the pan and scan version. Zero Mostel was a comic genius; it’s a pity that he didn’t leave us more movies to enjoy. Michael Hordern is superb as Senex, as are Jack Gilford and Phil Silvers as Hysterium and Lycus. When I was a child I didn’t enjoy the musical numbers, I remember fast- forwarding through to get back to the comedy. I now appreciate the songs as well; they are genuinely funny and full of double-entendres that you have to hear repeatedly to fully enjoy. The entire movie, despite its classical setting, has a swinging-sixties feel that you’ll have to watch a Rat Pack film to match. You almost expect Frank Sinatra to walk into a scene, singing a song in between drags on his cigarette.
Excellent DVD – Hilarious Movie Not having seen the play, I am able to enjoy the film without comparison to other formats. It is hilarious, frantic and a perfect example of Richard Lester’s early work.The DVD transfer is crisp and colorful with very clear audio – way better than the version shown on TCM. Artifacting is barely existent. The transfer is anamorphic widescreen though the description provided by Amazon does not note this.For a good, though bawdy, burlesque played broadly and strictly for laughs, you can’t go wrong.