In the director's version - in Laszlo Kovacs' black and white as originally intended - it's noticeable that some of the slapstick seems a little staged - a sign of how difficult it is to get this right.. but some of it remains wonderful and overall the film - a testament to the beginnings of cinema - is a joy, with deft little direction and scenes of magic, hugely underrated. The salute to D.W. Griffith is heartfelt and there's even a real John Ford story worked into Peter and W.D. Richter's screenplay (ripping out pages of script as behind schedule). The film carries the essence of Ford and / or Howard Hawks.
Cast: Ryan O'Neal, Burt Reynolds, Brian Keth, Stella Stevens (
The Poseiden Adventure), Jane Hitchcock ('As blind as a rat', one of only two films), Tatum O'Neal, John Ritter. Editor William Carruth (
Saint Jack, They All Laughed). Richter contributed to
Slither, Peeper and
Invasion of the Bodysnatchers.
"Shakespeare... French, huh?"
Apart from the Tavianis'
Good Morning Babylon I can't think of any other film that both documents and celebrates the very early, lawless days of film-making. OK.
Hugo. It's also very funny.
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