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The Wiz (1978)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
24 October 1978 (USA) moreTagline:
From the book that's an American tradition...from the smash-hit Broadway show...the entertainment of the year! morePlot:
An adaption of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African American experience. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 7 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(49 articles)
L.A. Hotspot Doing the 'MoonWalk' (From The Insider. 8 July 2009, 7:04 PM, PDT)
‘The Wizard Of Oz’ Two-fer In Today’s eBay Prop-Watch
(From MTV Movies Blog. 8 July 2009, 8:00 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Jawdroppingly bad...appalling is more like it!!! moreCast
(in credits order) (verified as complete) | Diana Ross | ... | Dorothy |
 | Michael Jackson | ... | Scarecrow |
 | Nipsey Russell | ... | Tinman |
| Ted Ross | ... | Lion / Fleetwood Coupe de Ville |
| Mabel King | ... | Evillene |
| Theresa Merritt | ... | Aunt Emma |
| Thelma Carpenter | ... | Miss One |
 | Lena Horne | ... | Glinda the Good |
 | Richard Pryor | ... | The Wiz (Herman Smith) |
| Stanley Greene | ... | Uncle Henry |
| Clyde J. Barrett | ... | Subway Peddler |
| Derrick Bell | ... | The Four Crows |
| Roderick-Spencer Sibert | ... | The Four Crows |
| Kashka Banjoko | ... | The Four Crows |
| Ronald 'Smokey' Stevens | ... | The Four Crows |
| Tony Brealord | ... | Gold Footman |
| Joe Lynn | ... | Gold Footman |
 | Clinton Jackson | ... | Green Footman |
| Charles Rodriguez | ... | Green Footman |
| Carlton Johnson | ... | Head Winkie |
| Ted Williams | ... | Munchkin #1 |
| Mabel Robinson | ... | Munchkin #2 / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir |
| Damon Pearce | ... | Munchkin #3 |
| Donna Patrice Ingram | ... | Munchkin #4 |
| Harry Madsen | ... | Cheetah, Head of the Flying Monkeys |
| Glory Van Scott | ... | Rolls Royce Lady |
| Vicki Baltimore | ... | Green Lady |
| Carlos Cleveland | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
 | Mariann Aalda | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Aaron Boddie | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Gay Faulkner | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Ted Butler | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| T.B. Skinner | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Jamie Perry | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Daphne McWilliams | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| H. Douglas Berring | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party (as Douglas Berring) |
| James Shaw | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Johnny Brown | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Gyle Waddy | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Dorothi Fox | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Frances Salisbury | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Beatrice Dunmore | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Traci Core | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Donald King | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Claude Brooks | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Billie Allen | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Denice Dejon | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Kevin Stockton | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Alvin Alexis | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Willie C. Carpenter | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party (as Willie Carpenter) |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Tom Bähler | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) |
| Adrienne Albert | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Alfa K. Anderson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Joshie Armstead | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Patti Austin | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Clare Janice Bathe | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Claude Brooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Eric Butler | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Vivian Cherry | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kacey Cisyk | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Steve Clayton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kay Coleman | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Charles Collins | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jenny Cooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| T.J. Cooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Ron Dante | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Billy Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Craig Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jules S. Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Sharon Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Christopher Dean | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| William Eaton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Melvin W. Edmondson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Camille Farrell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mike Farrell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Steve Feldman | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Roberta Flack | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bobby Floyd | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Frank Floyd | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Antonia French | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Arthur French | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Robin Givens | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party (uncredited) |
| Bryon Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Diva Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mike Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Milt Grayson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gordon Grody | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Lani Groves | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gwen Guthrie | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Susan Hamilton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Julio Herrara | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jake Holmes | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Cissy Houston | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Rhetta Hughes | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Petra Johnson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Martina Jones | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Quincy Jones | ... | Emerald City Gold Pianist (uncredited) |
| Kenny Karen | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jerry Keller | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Christine Langner | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| David Lasley | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Yvonne Lewis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mary Lombardi | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kim Magloire | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Tommy Malcolm | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bill Marine | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Barbara Massey | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ullanda McCullough | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Debbie McDuffie | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Chuck McGruder | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| June McGruder | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Helen Miles | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Leslie Miller | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Melanie Moore | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Janice Papalos | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Janice Pendarvis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Leon Pendarvis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Dennis Perren | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Randy Peyton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Neil Raber | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gerrard Randall | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| David Reed | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Claudia Ricks | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ermundo Russell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Annette Sanders | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Zachary Sanders | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ray Simpson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Raymond Simpson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Tamy Smith | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Renel Stafford | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Fred Stark | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Susan Stephenson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Maeretha Stewart | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Grady Tate | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jean Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mariama Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mia Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Duke Thorbs | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Alfonzo Thornton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Luther Vandross | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bill Walker | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Dawn Walker | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Joey Ward | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Brenda White | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Beurice Whitehead | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kenny Williams | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mollena Williams | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Janet Wright | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
Directed by | |||
| Sidney Lumet | |||
Writing credits | ||
| L. Frank Baum | (novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz") | |
| William F. Brown | (play) | |
| Joel Schumacher | (screenplay) | |
Produced by | |||
| Rob Cohen | .... | producer | |
| Kenneth Harper | .... | executive producer (as Ken Harper) | |
| Burtt Harris | .... | associate producer | |
| Berry Gordy | .... | executive producer (uncredited) | |
Original Music by | |||
| Charlie Smalls | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Oswald Morris | (director of photography) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| Dede Allen | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Tony Walton | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| Philip Rosenberg | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Robert Drumheller | |||
| Edward Stewart | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Tony Walton | |||
| Miles White | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Scott Cunningham | .... | makeup artist | |
| William A. Farley | .... | hair stylist (as William Farley) | |
| Carl Fullerton | .... | makeup artist | |
| Robert Laden | .... | makeup supervisor | |
| Ted Long | .... | hair stylist | |
| Michael R. Thomas | .... | makeup artist | |
| Allen Weisinger | .... | makeup artist | |
| Stan Winston | .... | special makeup designer | |
Production Management | |||
| Kenneth Utt | .... | production manager | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Burtt Harris | .... | first assistant director | |
| Alan Hopkins | .... | second assistant director | |
Art Department | |||
| Connie Brink | .... | property master | |
| Glen Engels | .... | construction grip | |
| Edward Garzero | .... | chief scenic artist | |
| John Jay Moore | .... | assistant art director | |
| Eugene Powell | .... | chief scenic artist | |
| Carlos Quiles | .... | carpenter | |
| Robert Shepherd | .... | sets and props | |
| Eoin Sprott | .... | fantasy props | |
| Richard Tautkus | .... | fantasy props | |
| Walter Way | .... | construction chief | |
| Jacques Godbout | .... | carpenter (uncredited) | |
| John Kasarda | .... | assistant art director (uncredited) | |
| Lawrence Miller | .... | assistant art director (uncredited) | |
| Dave Weinman | .... | lead man (uncredited) | |
Sound Department | |||
| Stan Bochner | .... | sound editor | |
| Guy Costa | .... | special sound consultant | |
| Jack Fitzstephens | .... | supervising sound editor | |
| Marc Laub | .... | sound editor (as Mark M. Laub) | |
| Hal Levinsohn | .... | sound editor | |
| Al Nahmias | .... | sound editor | |
| Ronald Roose | .... | sound editor | |
| James Sabat | .... | sound mixer (as James T. Sabat) | |
| Dick Vorisek | .... | sound re-recording supervisor | |
| Louis Cerborino | .... | sound editor (uncredited) | |
| Ollie Cotton | .... | assistant sound engineer (uncredited) | |
| Kevin Lee | .... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) | |
| Skip Saylor | .... | recording engineer: horns on "Ease on Down the Road" #1 (uncredited) | |
| William S. Scharf | .... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Al Griswold | .... | special effects | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Dennis Glouner | .... | matte photographer | |
| Bill Taylor | .... | matte photographer | |
| Albert Whitlock | .... | special visual effects | |
| Syd Dutton | .... | assistant matte painter (uncredited) | |
| Henry Schoessler | .... | visual effects (uncredited) | |
| Mark Whitlock | .... | matte camera loader (uncredited) | |
Stunts | |||
| Everett Creach | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Steve James | .... | stunts (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| James A. Contner | .... | camera operator (as J.A. Contner) | |
| Kenneth Goss | .... | key grip | |
| Norman Leigh | .... | gaffer | |
| Hank Muller | .... | first assistant camera | |
| Jack Priestley | .... | photographer: second unit | |
| Gary Muller | .... | co-first assistant camera (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Dona Granata | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Gloria Gresham | .... | costume coordinator | |
| Anna Hill Johnstone | .... | costume coordinator | |
| Barbara Matera | .... | principal costume execution | |
| George Newman | .... | wardrober | |
| Marilyn Putnam | .... | wardrober | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Angelo Corrao | .... | assistant film editor | |
| Marlayna Franklin | .... | assistant film editor | |
| Hal Levinsohn | .... | assistant editor (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Tom Bähler | .... | choir arranger (as Tom Bahler) | |
| Mendel Balitz | .... | orchestrator | |
| Chris Boardman | .... | orchestrator | |
| Ralph Ferraro | .... | orchestrator | |
| Jack Fitzstephens | .... | supervising music editor | |
| Bob Florence | .... | orchestrator | |
| Bob Freedman | .... | orchestrator | |
| Richard Hazard | .... | orchestrator (as Dick Hazard) | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | associate conductor | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | music arranger | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | music supervisor | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | orchestrator | |
| Greig McRitchie | .... | orchestrator | |
| Pete Meyers | .... | orchestrator | |
| Frank Owens | .... | associate conductor | |
| Frank Owens | .... | music arranger: dance arrangements | |
| Wayne Robinson | .... | orchestrator | |
| Bruce Swedien | .... | music recording engineer | |
| Robert N. Tucker Jr. | .... | conductor | |
| Patti Austin | .... | choral coordinator (uncredited) | |
| John Beal | .... | musician: bass (uncredited) | |
| David Foster | .... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Dave Grusin | .... | pre-record musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Jerry Hey | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Dick Hyman | .... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Anthony Jackson | .... | musician: bass (uncredited) | |
| Grady Tate | .... | musician: drums (uncredited) | |
| Toots Thielemans | .... | musician: harmonica (uncredited) | |
| Jeffrey Wolf | .... | assistant music editor (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Raymond Hartwick | .... | transportation chief (as Ray Hartwick) | |
Other crew | |||
| Grace Blake | .... | production office coordinator | |
| Robert F. Colesberry | .... | assistant production coordinator (as Robert Colesberry) | |
| Peter Foy | .... | flying rigs | |
| Sam Goldrich | .... | auditor | |
| Kenneth Harper | .... | stage producer: New York (as Ken Harper) | |
| Carlton Johnson | .... | assistant choreographer | |
| Louis Johnson | .... | choreographer | |
| Mabel Robinson | .... | assistant choreographer | |
| Lynn Twentyman | .... | script supervisor (as Lynn T. Ward) | |
| Aaron J. Baron | .... | technical coordinator (uncredited) | |
| P. Larry Dahlstrom | .... | technical engineer (uncredited) | |
| Bernie Grundman | .... | original mastering (uncredited) | |
| Peter Maiorino | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
| Mitchell Plotkin | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
| Tom Razzano | .... | location manager (uncredited) | |
| Lynda Van Damm | .... | assistant production accountant (uncredited) | |
| George Walker | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
Production Companies
- Universal Pictures (presents)
- Motown Productions
- Universal Pictures (1978) (USA) (theatrical)
- Universal Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (????) (Argentina) (VHS)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1980) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
- DiscoVision (USA) (laserdisc)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
- Scott Barrie thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Bill Blass thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Stephen Burrows' World thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Oscar de la Renta thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Halston thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Kamali thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Zoran thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Kolodzie thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Ralph Lauren thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Mary McFadden thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Alixandre Furs thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Renaldo Sanchez Furs thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- The Louis Johnson Dance Theatre dancers
- Dawn Animal Agency Toto owned and trained by (as Dawn Animal Agency of N.Y.)
- Suzuki motorcycle furnished by
- Vajra Incorporated Lightflex equipment
- Congoleum The Yellow Brick Road created by
- Kaufman Astoria Studios filmed at (as The Astoria Studios)
- Astroland Park, Coney Island filmed at: Amusement park sequence
- Cherokee Studios music recorded at (uncredited)
- MCA Records soundtrack (uncredited)
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
134 min | Finland:136 min (uncut version) | Finland:118 min (cut version) | UK:128 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
Finland:K-12 (uncut) (1979) | Finland:S (heavily cut) (1980) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | UK:U | USA:G | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:ALFun Stuff
Trivia:
The CBS Television Network's eyeball logo, slightly modified with an"O" and a "Z" in the middle of the walking microphone and camera, was used in the Emerald City dancing scenes. moreGoofs:
Crew or equipment visible: During the wide shot in "Slide Some Oil to Me" when Nipsy Russell is dancing in front of the mirrors, there's a large hole in the canvas behind him. You can see a camera through the hole, and a couple of times, you can see a reflection of him dancing in the camera lens. moreQuotes:
Dorothy: [Attempting to make the Tinman cry] Quick! Find a really sad saying!Scarecrow: [Reaches into his hair and pulls out a piece of paper] Uh... showers this morning, clearing by tonight!
more
Soundtrack:
Emerald City Ballet Sequence moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
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What must have looked good on paper turned out to be a case of bad concept, bad design, bad acting, bad singing, and the worst choreography ever seen in a major musical!! THE WIZ is so appallingly bad in its execution, that it staggers the imagination to think that anyone would think this film could make money at the box-office.
Worst casting mistake: DIANA ROSS as Dorothy, a one-note impersonation of a frightened child (although she's supposed to be a young adult schoolteacher). It's hard to believe she won an Academy Award nomination for LADY SINGS THE BLUES, so bad is she in voice and manner to suggest the Dorothy image made famous in the Frank L. Baum original.
The others are so fully disguised as to be almost unrecognizable--yes, even MICHAEL JACKSON as The Scarecrow completely misses the mark. Whatever laughs are attempted, they barely conjure up a chuckle.
The big production numbers are a complete mess, either too intricately staged or filmed at such a distance ("Ease On Down The Road") that there's no intimacy with the characters.
Lumet was obviously the wrong director for this kind of material. And of course he had obstacles thrown in his way by the miscasting of all the major characters.
A friend of mine used to use the phrase "Looks like two-cents worth of God Help Us!" It's an apt description of this God-Awful mess of a movie.