IMDb > The Ritz (1976)
The Ritz
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Videos
The Ritz (1976) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   1,044 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for The Ritz on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 December 1976 (Denmark) more
Genre:
Tagline:
...your key to hilarity. more
Plot:
On his deathbed Carmine Vespucci's father tells him to "get Proclo". With "the hit" on, Gaetano tells... more | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 nominations more
User Comments:
I Never Laughed So Hard more (22 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Jack Weston ... Gaetano Proclo

Rita Moreno ... Googie Gomez

Jerry Stiller ... Carmine Vespucci
Kaye Ballard ... Vivian Proclo

F. Murray Abraham ... Chris
Paul B. Price ... Claude Perkins

Treat Williams ... Michael Brick
John Everson ... Tiger
Christopher J. Brown ... Duff
Dave King ... Abe Lefkowitz
Bessie Love ... Maurine
Tony De Santis ... Balloon Man
Ben Aris ... Patron With Bicycle
Peter Butterworth ... Patron In Chaps
Ronnie Brody ... Small Patron
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Ratzenberger's movie debut. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After F. Murray Abraham's character Chris shows the "Chubby Chaser" to the room where Kay Ballard is hiding, he runs without looking where he is going and accidentally slams the side of his head into the narrow door jamb. more
Quotes:
Old Man Vespucci: [his dying words] Get Proclo! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Unknown Peter Sellers (2000) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
The Three Caballeros more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
I Never Laughed So Hard, 5 March 2005
8/10
Author: Don Daniels from Long Island, New York

It was 1976, Tehran Iran. Terry, also American, and I were bored at work and on the spur of the moment decided to skip out and check out the Tehran Film Festival. Boy, did we have no idea what we were getting in for.

It just so happened that the next film on the bill was The Ritz. We knew nothing about it, but we hailed our driver, raced downtown to the theater, and made it in just in time.

Before long, we were rolling on the floor. Truly, we couldn't hold on to our seats, I can't speak for Terry but the tears were just pouring down my face from laughter. And what made this worse was that, in a mostly packed theater, it seemed that most of the time the two of us near the back were the only ones laughing. Oh, every once and while the Farsi sub-titles would catch-up and the rest of the theater would let out a good laugh, I guess they were having a good time, but it was amazing to us how much was being missed, even some of the visual humor.

I suppose we were both just overdo for some comic relief, but I've watched this film again through the years and it remains one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Jack Weston as the everyman-victim is perfect, as is Rita Morena as a never-quite-been, trying with varying degrees of success, to retain her dignity, her temper, and her dreams. And the rest of the cast -- who can you fault?

Yes, from the dark opening deathbed scene, to all the madcap mistakes that follow, this is farce that at times sinks almost as low as the Three Stooges, but keeps sailing from floor to floor with surprise laughs at every turn.

Some folks can't seem to get past the subject matter, I guess. But if you can find this movie, and you can open your mind beyond the lifestyle to just enjoy all the zaniness that happens, then hang on to your towel!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (22 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Ritz (1976)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
It's here! lightkeeper-1
The Ritz DVD...I need your help! daris89
Favortie flick, The Ritz (1976) whoboysangel
Extra in Funeral Scene jmax-2
under-rated, funny, gay comedy ksf-2
I'm in this play. :) Blairman07
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Birdcage Little Miss Sunshine A Night at the Opera Stage Beauty
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.