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The misadventures of a bumbling police precinct in Boston are on full display in this farcical comedy-drama, scripted by Evan Hunter from one of the Ed McBain novels. Plot threads include people setting bums on fire, a rapist on the loose, and a criminal mastermind assassinating various political figures. Burt Reynolds, Jack Weston, and Tom Skerritt are among those fumbling their way through the assorted cases, with guest star Yul Brynner the most fun as the nefarious "Deaf Man".It's enjoyable to a point, even if it really fails to catch fire (unlike Reynolds' character at one point). It's certainly irreverent, and has a real weary, cynical edge to it as well. It's the kind of thing that I found not that successful as a whole, but it did have its moments. What I actually found interesting was the way all of the various plot threads came together at the conclusion.Reynolds just kind of coasts through this one; his co-stars have more to do and fare better. Beautiful Raquel Welch does fine in a bit as a new arrival at the precinct who has to prove herself to her macho colleagues. What is absolutely impressive is seeing so many familiar faces in one place: Bert Remsen, Royce D. Applegate, Norman Burton, Britt Leach, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Bonerz, Don Gordon, Charles Tyner, Charles Martin Smith, Tamara Dobson, Albert Popwell, Gino Conforti, Peter Brocco, and Dominic Chianese. So this movie definitely has an incredible cast, if nothing else.Overall, I thought it was reasonably amusing and entertaining.7/10
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