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I watched My Favorite Year for the first time last night. It was actually hysterically funny! The film follows a young writer who becomes the handler of an actor who is a notorious alcoholic.
Directed by Richard Benjamin
Written by Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo
Starring PETER O'TOOLE, Mark Linn-Baker, Jessica Harper, Joseph Bologna, Bill Macy, Anne De Salvo, Basil Hoffman, Adolph Green, Lainie Kazan, Cameron Mitchell, and SELMA DIAMOND.
| by Anonymous | reply 29 | December 31, 2023 9:40 PM |
It is My Favorite Year!
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | December 30, 2023 4:12 PM |
Most of the film is based on real life stories and people:
Peter O'Toole's Alan Swain was based on Erol Flynn.
The show is based on Your Show of Shows, starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Cocoa. The writing staff included Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Woody Allen, and, of course, Selma Diamond.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | December 30, 2023 4:14 PM |
This was on HBO nonstop in the early to mid 80s. I haven't seen it since then when I was a kid. Maybe it's time to watch it again!
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | December 30, 2023 4:15 PM |
I've always wanted to see the musical version, but since it was such a flop, I guess it's rarely performed.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | December 30, 2023 4:18 PM |
R3 I rented it for $2 on Amazon last night. Also here is a link to watch for free:
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | December 30, 2023 4:20 PM |
[quote] O'Toole was interviewed at least three times by Charlie Rose on his eponymous talk show. In a 17 January 2007 interview, O'Toole stated that British actor Eric Porter had most influenced him, adding that the difference between actors of yesterday and today is that actors of his generation were trained for "theatre, theatre, theatre". He also believes that the challenge for the actor is "to use his imagination to link to his emotion" and that "good parts make good actors". However, in other venues (including the DVD commentary for Becket), O'Toole credited Donald Wolfit as being his most important mentor.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | December 30, 2023 4:32 PM |
I ADORED the musical version every bit as much as I do the film.
The movie is just a hoot. A perfect movie. O’Toole gives a dashing, glorious performance (for which he was nominated for an Oscar). It’s a charming flick.
The musical lacked O’Toole. On paper, Tim Curry was ideal — but he was a bit heavy and hammy in the role. He really weighed down the whole operation. A pretty big flaw. Should have been Robert Lindsey.
And the lead was cloying AF. You can hear some of his performance on the cast
I think the problems were those individual performances. Those two fatal flaws aside, the rest of the show was aces. Both Andrea Martin (breathtakingly funny) and Lainie Kazan (recreating her role from the movie — she was PERFECTION)) were nominated as featured actress. Martin won!
It’s also my favorite Aherns and Flaherty score (not a fan of Aherns’ work or her (lack of) personality. But that team was firing on all cylinders.
It’s due an Encores! presentation. And a better cast revival.
It’s due a pp
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | December 30, 2023 4:35 PM |
[quote] Martin won!
No? Really? Link please.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | December 30, 2023 4:53 PM |
OP, thank you for reminding me of this nearly perfect movie.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | December 30, 2023 5:01 PM |
I would like to welcome you to our humble chapeau!
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | December 30, 2023 5:06 PM |
It's a great movie. For All My Children fans - a young Cady McClain plays O'Toole's daughter.
The ending always reminds me of the ending of It's Always Fair Weather.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | December 30, 2023 5:59 PM |
[quote] For All My Children fans - a young Cady McClain plays O'Toole's daughter.
Is there anything in this O’TOOLe film for DOOL fans?
| by Anonymous | reply 15 | December 30, 2023 6:11 PM |
[quote]Imogene Cocoa
Oh DEAR, R2
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | December 30, 2023 11:25 PM |
R17 sorry, typo
| by Anonymous | reply 18 | December 30, 2023 11:45 PM |
It’s a perfect film. What a great performance by Peter O’Toole.
| by Anonymous | reply 19 | December 31, 2023 12:51 AM |
Thank you so much, R16!
| by Anonymous | reply 20 | December 31, 2023 1:19 AM |
Selma
| by Anonymous | reply 21 | December 31, 2023 1:20 AM |
Lainie Kazan!!!
| by Anonymous | reply 22 | December 31, 2023 1:28 AM |
Rookie Carroca!
| by Anonymous | reply 23 | December 31, 2023 3:27 AM |
Oh my God - Peter O'Toole was only 50 in this film??!
| by Anonymous | reply 24 | December 31, 2023 3:34 AM |
On behalf of everyone here, I would like to welcome you to our humble chapeau. ——Lainie Kazan
| by Anonymous | reply 25 | December 31, 2023 3:35 AM |
R25, are you also R12?
| by Anonymous | reply 26 | December 31, 2023 3:38 AM |
"Of course he's beneath us, he's an actor."
| by Anonymous | reply 27 | December 31, 2023 3:40 AM |
Alan Swann: Are you still in the fight game?
Rookie Carroca: In a way. I married Benjy's mother.
I love this film! So many great lines.
| by Anonymous | reply 28 | December 31, 2023 8:22 PM |
And the title itself is a great line.
| by Anonymous | reply 29 | December 31, 2023 9:40 PM |
Yes indeed, we too use "cookies." Take a look at our privacy/terms or if you just want to see the damn site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, click ACCEPT. Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site for your pointless bitchery needs.
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