Enter Laughing (1967)

A young would-be actor seeks his first break.

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Joseph Stein (play), Carl Reiner (adaptation),

Stars:

José Ferrer, Shelley Winters, Elaine May

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
José Ferrer	...	Harrison B. Marlowe (as Jose Ferrer)
Shelley Winters	...	Mrs. Emma Kolowitz
Elaine May	...	Angela Marlowe
Jack Gilford	...	Mr. Foreman
Janet Margolin	...	Wanda
David Opatoshu	...	Mr. Morris Kolowitz
Michael J. Pollard	...	Marvin
Don Rickles	...	Harry Hamburger
Richard Deacon	...	Pike
Nancy Kovack	...	Linda aka Miss B
Reni Santoni	...	David Kolowitz
Herbie Faye	...	Mr. Schoenbaum
Rob Reiner	...	Clark Baxter
Danny Stein	...	Spencer Reynolds
Milton Frome	...	Policeman

Storyline

David Kolowitz, a nice young man living with his parents in New York City in 1938, works at a machine repair shop. His parents want David to study to become a pharmacist. But what he really wants is to be an actor like his idol, Ronald Colman. One day, at his friend Marvin's suggestion, David tries out for a part in a play, and gets it, despite his obvious lack of acting experience (not to mention ability). True, it's a rather small part in a low-rent production. Leading the troupe is a washed-up, alcoholic actor who hires David at the urging of his actress-daughter, who finds David "cute." To play his part, David must come up with his own costume - a tuxedo - and pay the house five dollars a week, ostensibly for tuition. But it is David's first acting job, one which calls for him to "enter laughing." And if it doesn't work out - well, there's always pharmacy school.

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Plot Keywords:

acting | pharmacist | new york city | semi autobiographical | forced laughter | 

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Taglines:

Here's the hilarious answer to WHY BOYS LEAVE HOME!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sein grosser Auftritt

Company Credits

Production Co:

Acre Enterprises, Sajo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rob Reiner's film debut.

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Goofs

David admires a poster for the movie Lost Horizon, which was released in late Thirties when story takes place. But bottom of poster identifies movie as a re-release, something that wouldn't have taken place until years later.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Mr. Foreman: It's up to you to do the Hah-cha-cha!

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Connections

References A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

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Soundtracks

"Enter Laughing"
Music by Quincy Jones
Lyrics by Mack David
Sung by Mel Carter

User Reviews

My favorite funny movie.

I first saw the last three quarters of this movie on TV in the early 70's. I couldn't stop laughing. I purchased the video several years ago, and after having seen the movie at least 3 or 4 time since, I still can't stop laughing. It's easily the funniest movie I've ever seen, and it didn't get nearly the recognition it should have /I guess the Viet Nam war numbed our funny bones back in 1967/. This movie should be brought back in an updated, digitized format. If anyone goes to see it - prepare to laugh. Also, besides being a very funny movie, it's also a very cute movie than everyone will enjoy. It's hard to believe that this movie was made almost 40 years ago. It just goes to show that real humor is ageless. Many would think that comedian Don Rickles would be the funny one in this film, but it turns out that Jose Ferrer and Jack Gilford are the real funny men. I could go on and on about this film - get a copy of it and enjoy. You'll see what I mean.