Product Description

Two feuding former vaudville performers are convinced to reunite for a TV special. George Burns won an Academy Award for best supporting actor.Running Time: 111 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 012569590229

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19035 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2004-03-30
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 111 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Neil Simon's Broadway hit about an effort to reunite a pair of aged vaudevillians for a TV special is both funny and poignant, thanks to the inspired casting of Walter Matthau (perhaps the consummate Simon actor) and George Burns (who kicked off something of a career comeback with this Oscar-winning role). They play a former comedy team who split up years ago over disagreements about how the act should be performed and, more importantly, over their conflicting views about the importance of show business versus that of life. Matthau is hilarious, sometimes touchingly so, while Burns remains a master of comic economy. Richard Benjamin is also good as Matthau's nephew who brings them back together. This was remade for television with Peter Falk and Woody Allen. --Marshall Fine

Amazon.com
Based on Neil Simon's popular Broadway play, this 1975 film directed by Herbert Ross (The Turning Point, Footloose) pairs the legendary comic talents of Walter Matthau and George Burns as two old-time vaudevillians who could never stand the sight of each other. The two curmudgeons are roped into appearing on a television reunion special, and they find themselves rehashing the same arguments they had 50 years earlier. Burns came out of retirement for this role and won an Oscar for his work as the laconic half of the duo, while Matthau shines as the ham-handed antagonistic egomaniac. One of Neil Simon's snappiest creations has been energetically brought to life in this enjoyable comedy, and it's a rare opportunity to see two legends in finest form. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews

"Nobuddy ever fergits where he buried a hatchet" - Kin Hubbard
Obviously Willy Clark (Walter Matthau) has never heard of letting bygones be bygones. Still holding a grudge against the lovable codger, Al Lewis (George Burns, who turns in a bravo performance; winning the year's Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and deservedly so). Lewis & Clark (get it?) a.k.a. 'The Sunshine Boys' were once one of the biggest names in vaudeville back in the day, but ever since have gone about their separate ways. (Truth be known, it's been 11 years since Willy has last seen Lewis, and 12 since he's last spoken to him.) The wall between them involved Al having called it quits while Willy wanted no part of retirement. Matthau plays the 73 year-old Clark who still thinks he's in demand, who seems to be working more out of obstinacy than anything (as if to make a point to his former partner); he even admits he doesn't need the money. Indeed, his days of being a competent performer have long since passed; for one thing, his mind is going, blowing his lines during auditions and getting his directions mixed up as a head-to-the-ground marching pedestrian (this, despite his having lived in New York all his life). Still, he thinks himself a professional and wants work. His nephew, Ben (Richard Benjamin; 'Westworld,' 1973) is also his agent and indeed finds him work!... 'The Sunshine Boys' is based on the screenplay by Neil Simon, who seems to think (at times) that comedy needs to be either loud and contentious or carping (see also Jack Lemmon in 'The Out-Of-Towners'). Despite the fact that we still somehow manage to love the cantankerous Matthau, his character 'does' test our patience, what with his overdone animosity toward Lewis and his specialty for "blasting us with his bullhorn voice." (Pauline Kael) Some critics in their descriptions wrongfully lump the character of Lewis under the same blanket adjectives they pin on Clark: argumentative, crabby, and the like, when, in actuality, Lewis is exempt - calm, composed, seated with his fingers interlaced, doing no more than listening to his partner whine and quibble, and uttering the odd polite rejoinder. Regrettably, Burns doesn't show up in the movie till about the half-hour mark (he was napping; plus it's a drive from New Jersey, where his character resides), and Burns and Matthau don't even get together till almost 45 minutes-in (we'll call it procrastinating). There was a made-for-TV remake that came out in 1997, which was adequate, but the original is superior (some production notes: Matthau was a replacement for Jack Benny, who died before the start of filming. This was Burns first starring role since 1939's 'Honolulu'; the man should have made more pictures - he's an on-screen talent!). I found the movie's pace occasionally plodding, as if at a speed geared toward an elderly viewership; still, if you're patient with it you'll find yourself soon immersed in Matthau's-Burns' extremely entertaining exchanges: of which 'the apartment rehearsal' sequence is the best. (Though I could have done without the felt tacked-on bittersweet ending revolving around a cardiac arrest.) Benjamin is enjoyable as Clark's nephew and the ever-needed mediator between the two ex-vaudevillians; ("vaudeville," French for Vau-de-Vire, translated the valley of the Vire, in Normandy, once famous for its light, convivial songs). The film's opening segment ('the Frumpies potato chips audition') made me laugh the most. Ben's job is to put to use his business chicanery and play coaxer, in his endeavor at trying to convince both parties to reunite for one last collaborative effort (for an ABC 90-minute variety show). This will be no easy task. For his uncle can't stand Lewis, not after 43 years of being poked in the chest with an emphatic index finger, and having his face spit upon by his perceived salivating partner, whom he alleges purposely chose words that only began with a "T." (Burns: "I can't help it if it comes out juicy"). We learn that "T"-words aren't that funny in a comedy sketch. And that words with a "K" or "K" sound in them are. Words like "chicken" and "pickle" for example, as opposed to say, "enter."

THE NOT TOO FUNNY BOYS
WE WERE TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS MOVIE--TOO MUCH SCREAMING AND UNHAPPINESS. WE DID NOT ENJOY THIS MOVIE--IN FACT I GAVE IT AWAY ALREADY. NOW WE ENJOY GEORGE BURNS AND WALTER MATTHAU BUT THIS WAS BENEATH THEIR ABILITY.

Peer under the mask of Vaudeville characters
From the wisecracking opening salvos to the heartfelt ending this movie is sheer hilarity that leaves you with more than badda bing badda boom punchlines and broad brush slapstick. It allows us a look under the grease paint of two vaudevillians who have been through the trials and triumphs of one of comedy's most unique times and how when brought back together for a nostalgic revisit fall back into their act and old habits which agitate each other to our delight. Walter Matthau plays Willie who is the partner who never learned when to quit and is constantly looking for that next great venue which will catapult him back to the fame he had. Unfortunately the ravages of age have made him forgetful and he has trouble remembering his lines, among other things, and then tries to improvise a wisecrack to cover his mistake that leaves the audience in hysterics. George Burns plays his retired partner and straightman Al Lewis. The flow of one liners and crisp dialogue keep the movie at a rapid pace and there is no end to the scene stealing and, in Matthau's case, scene chewing that keeps you laughing throughout. Each scene reveals that their act was their relationship and they used this to cover their friendship which had become strained by the demands of the businesss. They were business associates who were very good working together. However they both had mutual professional respect for each other's talents and this in the end helped to reveal the genuine affection that they had for each other. This is a movie for all ages and all families who wish to see a couple of masters who can use pathos, a sharp tongue, and a quick wit to entertain and make you laugh.