The Entertainer (1960) 7.1
Archie Rice, an old-time British vaudeville performer sinking into final defeat, schemes to stay in show business. Director:Tony Richardson |
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The Entertainer (1960) 7.1
Archie Rice, an old-time British vaudeville performer sinking into final defeat, schemes to stay in show business. Director:Tony Richardson |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Laurence Olivier | ... | ||
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Brenda de Banzie | ... |
Phoebe Rice
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| Roger Livesey | ... |
Billy Rice
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| Joan Plowright | ... |
Jean Rice
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| Alan Bates | ... |
Frank Rice
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Daniel Massey | ... |
Graham
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| Albert Finney | ... |
Mick Rice
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Shirley Anne Field | ... |
Tina Lapford
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Thora Hird | ... |
Mrs. Ada Lapford
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Miriam Karlin | ... |
Soubrette
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Geoffrey Toone | ... |
Harold Hubbard
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MacDonald Hobley | ... |
Himself - the TV star
(as McDonald Hobley)
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Anthony Oliver | ... |
Interviewer
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Max Bacon | ... |
Charlie Klein
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George Doonan | ... |
Eddie Trimmer
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Archie Rice, a pathetic music hall comic, plagued by debts, manipulates those around him in a defiant and selfish attempt to survive against improbable odds. He drinks, makes crude philosophical jokes about sex and politics and humiliates his lamenting, gin-soaked wife. Archie lures his father, Billy Rice, out of retirement for a benefit performance which will ultimately bring financial aid to Archie and his impractical investments. Written by alfiehitchie
I've seen this movie many times on tv and still feel irresistibly drawn into the realistic setting of people's humdrum lives at a British seaside resort. Some films can be viewed once and that's enough, but not this one.
All the cast members are remarkable in projecting the ordinary bleakness of the story's circumstances -- the people, time and place, their foibles, tragedies, and often futile efforts as they struggle with events. Believe it or not, I even got to like Olivier's singing of "Why Should I Care"!
A memorable, thoughtful film well worth experiencing.