7.4/10
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77 user 14 critic

My Favorite Year (1982)

PG | | Comedy | 8 October 1982 (USA)
A dissolute matinee idol is slated to appear on a live TV variety show.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
K.C. Downing
...
King Kaiser
...
Sy Benson
...
Belle Carroca
...
Alice Miller
...
Herb Lee
Lou Jacobi ...
Uncle Morty
Adolph Green ...
Leo Silver
Tony DiBenedetto ...
Alfie Bumbacelli
...
Myron Fein
Selma Diamond ...
Lil
...
Karl Rojeck
Jenny Neumann ...
Connie
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Storyline

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>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 October 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Mi año favorito  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the second film in about a year where actress Anne De Salvo played opposite a character who was an alcoholic. Allan Swann (Peter O'Toole) in My Favorite Year (1982) is a big-drinker as was Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) in the previous year's Arthur (1981) in which de Salvo also appeared. See more »

Goofs

The film shows full dress rehearsals in the broadcast studio early in the week before the air day, complete with scenery. Rehearsals were done in a rehearsal space, so studios could be available for other shows on other days. Dress rehearsals with scenery in studio would be held on the day of the broadcast. See more »

Quotes

Benjy Stone: What are you doing?
Alan Swann: Drinking and leaving!
See more »

Connections

Featured in First Works (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

How High the Moon
(1940)
Music by Morgan Lewis (uncredited)
Lyrics by Nancy Hamilton (uncredited)
Performed off-screen by Les Paul and Mary Ford during the opening scene
Played also as dance music at the Waldorf
Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc.
See more »

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User Reviews

 
O'Toole at his best
11 April 2004 | by (Tasmania) – See all my reviews

Peter O'Toole is at the height of his comic powers in this wonderful homage to Errol Flynn, the 50's, and early live TV. Alan Swann (O'Toole) is a swashbuckling, aging, alcoholic actor billed to appear on television - which is fine until he realises that the thing is going to be broadcast LIVE, which is unthinkable. This prompts severe stage fright and heavy drinking, as he is cojoled with endless patience by his adoring young minder, Benjy Stone, (Mark Linn-Baker).

The film is funny, brilliant, sad, stirring, inspiring, exciting - unique. The cast is perfect from top to bottom A tour de force by O'Toole. Watch it. 'My Favorite Year' should become one of Your Favorite Films. 9 out of 10.


47 of 49 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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