IMDb RATING
7.1/10
6.7K
YOUR RATING
A vaudeville duo agree to reunite for a television special, but it turns out that they can't stand each other.A vaudeville duo agree to reunite for a television special, but it turns out that they can't stand each other.A vaudeville duo agree to reunite for a television special, but it turns out that they can't stand each other.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 6 wins & 7 nominations total
Rosetta LeNoire
- Odessa - Willy's Nurse
- (as Rosetta Le Noire)
Jennifer Lee Pryor
- Helen Clark
- (as Jennifer Lee)
- Director
- Writer
- Neil Simon(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGeorge Burns turned up at rehearsals having learned the entire film script by heart. Burns figured that this would make it harder for the producers to fire him if they wanted to.
- GoofsBen refers to the Actors' Home as being in New Brunswick, NJ. It is, in fact, in Englewood.
- Quotes
Ben Clark: I'm getting chest pains. You give me chest pains!
Willy Clark: It's my fault you get excited?
Ben Clark: Yes! I only get chest pains on Wednesdays!
Willy Clark: So come Tuesdays.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Sunshine Boys (1975)
- SoundtracksMake 'Em Laugh
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Arranged by Conrad Salinger
Featured review
Al Lewis's glass has always remained being half full while Willy Clark's glass is stubbornly half empty
This is a ying versus yang personality clash that worked for many years on the big stage as a successful vaudeville comedy duo who were at the top of their respective games for decades but as with any good wine it will eventually go bad if left in the proverbial sun too long. Willy Clark (Walter Matthau) and Al Lewis (George Burns) begrudgingly agree at the bequest of Willy's stage manager nephew Ben Clark (Richard Benjamin) to get together for a reunion performance of their greatest comedy skits. Both aging comedians blame the other one for their eventual falling out so the feat of getting them back on the same stage is left to Willy's nephew Ben.
Willy is a crusty old "glass half empty" entertainer who likes to feel like he is the main attraction while his old comedy partner Al is a more confident and healthier "glass half full" entertainer.
The film was originally a stage production of Neil Simon and brought back to the big screen and directed with some down to earth pizazz by director Herbert Ross. It's alight hearted message that still resonates almost fifty (50) years later with the message for all old friends which is "let bygones be bygones". Most film goers were rooting for these two old octogenarian vaudeville performers to reconcile and make one big splash on the live stage.
No spoilers here. It's a warm hearted with good intentions film well worth watching at least twice. I give it a 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.
Willy is a crusty old "glass half empty" entertainer who likes to feel like he is the main attraction while his old comedy partner Al is a more confident and healthier "glass half full" entertainer.
The film was originally a stage production of Neil Simon and brought back to the big screen and directed with some down to earth pizazz by director Herbert Ross. It's alight hearted message that still resonates almost fifty (50) years later with the message for all old friends which is "let bygones be bygones". Most film goers were rooting for these two old octogenarian vaudeville performers to reconcile and make one big splash on the live stage.
No spoilers here. It's a warm hearted with good intentions film well worth watching at least twice. I give it a 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.
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- Ed-Shullivan
- Apr 26, 2022
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys
- Filming locations
- Ansonia Hotel - 74th & Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(exteriors of Willy's apartment)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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