| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Peter O'Toole | ... | ||
| Mark Linn-Baker | ... | ||
| Jessica Harper | ... |
K.C. Downing
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| Joseph Bologna | ... |
King Kaiser
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| Bill Macy | ... |
Sy Benson
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| Lainie Kazan | ... |
Belle Carroca
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| Anne De Salvo | ... |
Alice Miller
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| Basil Hoffman | ... |
Herb Lee
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Lou Jacobi | ... |
Uncle Morty
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Adolph Green | ... |
Leo Silver
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Tony DiBenedetto | ... |
Alfie Bumbacelli
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| George Wyner | ... |
Myron Fein
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Selma Diamond | ... |
Lil
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| Cameron Mitchell | ... |
Karl Rojeck
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Jenny Neumann | ... |
Connie
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Benjy Stone is the junior writer on the top rated variety/comedy show, in the mid 50s (the early years). Its a new medium and the rules were not fully established. Alan Swann, an Erol Flynn type actor with a drinking problem is to be that weeks guest star. When King Kaiser, the headliner wants to throw Swann off the show, Benjy makes a pitch to save his childhood hero, and is made Swann's babysitter. On top of this, a union boss doesn't care for Kaiser's parody of him and has plans to stop the show. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Hilarious film about a Sid Caesar-like comedy series where the special guest is a legendary swashbuckler movie idol who is more known for taking to drink, than for his acting credits. O'Toole shines as Alan Swann, the swashbuckler on his first live television series. Bologna is priceless as the Sid Caesar-like star of the comedy show. Baker is also wonderful as the young comedy writer assigned to watch Swann's every move. There is great support from Bill Macy, excellent as the show's head writer; Green as the show's producer; Hoffman as a comedy writer who only whispers how he feels...only to speak at the end of the film and Kazan, who is simply divine as Baker's mother. The film is a fine slice of old fashioned comedy with great slapstick and dialogue with lots of zap and zing. Director Benjamin shines in his first venture behind the camera. O'Toole was Oscar nominated.