Mr. Saturday Night (1992)

Director:

Billy Crystal

Writers (WGA):

Billy Crystal (written by) and
Lowell Ganz (written by) ...

Release Date:

23 September 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

It's lonely at the middle.

Plot:

Buddy Young was the comic's comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes...

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star | Saturday Night Live | Period In Title | Sentimental | Early Television

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Billy Crystal	...	Buddy Young, Jr.
David Paymer	...	Stan
Julie Warner	...	Elaine
Helen Hunt	...	Annie Wells
Mary Mara	...	Susan
Jerry Orbach	...	Phil Gussman
Ron Silver	...	Larry Meyerson
Sage Allen	...	Mom
Jason Marsden	...	Buddy, age 15
Michael Weiner	...	Stan, age 18
Larry Gelman	...	Mr. Gimbel
Kay Freeman	...	Mrs. Gimbel
Howard Mann	...	Stage manager
Julius Branca	...	Stage manager
Liz Georges	...	Script girl

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:M | Germany:6 (f) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #32002)

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

There is one scene where Buddy Young, Jr. is watching "Your Show of Show" starring Sid Caesar and wincing. Ironically, Billy Crystal has cited Sid Caesar for his reason wanting to get into comedy.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Stan explains that rating for Buddy's Saturday night TV show are sliding because the show is opposite Davy Crockett, a serial that actually ran midweek for three weeks on a TV's Disneyland show.

Quotes:

Buddy Young, Jr.: For me, my family was like, uh, Dances With Jews. Oh sure, we had names for our relatives like they had in that movie.
Reporter: What do you mean?
Buddy Young, Jr.: Well, we had "Eats With His Hands," "Spits When He Talks," "Makes Noise When He Bends," "Sweats Like a Pig," "Whines In a Cab," "Never Buys Retail," "Shaves His Back."

Movie Connections:

References The Sunshine Boys (1975)

Billy Crystal's Masterpiece

I was surprised to see such a low rating on IMDB for this film, which I feel is Crystal's masterpiece. While watching it, it becomes clear quickly that making this movie is a real labour of love for Crystal. He really displays his entire range in this surprising drama about a rather complex Vaudeville-esque comedian (whose character Buddy Young Jr. was introduced years before during Crystal's unforgettable stint on the 1984-5 Saturday Night Live season). Perhaps I was just in the mood for a sentimental film while I was watching it, but I was really compelled by the film, which also featured an unbelievable performance by David Paymer as Crystal's brother. The flashback sequences were fabulous-- I just can't say enough good about this film. Just don't set your expectations for a comedy, remember this is a rather long, sentimental (yet never sappy) drama with comic elements and enjoy! (rating 9/10)