Laughter on the 23rd Floor (2001)

Director:

Richard Benjamin

Writers:

Neil Simon (play), Neil Simon (teleplay)

Stars:

Nathan Lane, Mark Linn-Baker, Saul Rubinek

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Credited cast:
Nathan Lane	...	Max Prince
Mark Linn-Baker	...	Val Skotsky
Saul Rubinek	...	Ira Stone
Dan Castellaneta	...	Milt Fields
Richard Portnow	...	Harry Prince
Kristi Angus	...	Darlene Drew
Ardon Bess	...	Cecil
Colin Fox	...	Cal Weebs
Sherry Miller	...	Faye
Frank Proctor	...	Walter Winchell
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mackenzie Astin	...	Lucus Brickman
Marcia Bennett	...	Cal's Secretary
Robert Bidaman	...	Brad
Ian D. Clark	...	Doctor
Philip Craig	...	Dennis

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | restaurant | mccarthy hearings | reference to john wayne | 1950s | 

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Taglines:

TV's top comic has everything. Except his sanity.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Most Original Comedy

Filming Locations:

Tivoli Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (archive footage) Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This tele-film was made and released about eight years after its source play of the same name by Neil Simon was first performed in 1993. The original Broadway production of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" opened at the Richard Rogers Theater on 22nd November 1993 and ran for 320 performances until 27th August 1994. Nathan Lane and Mark Linn-Baker reprized their stage roles in this tele-movie. The play opened in London's West End on 3rd October 1996 and ran for five months. It starred Gene Wilder. The play's setting is described in its intro as; "An office on the 23rd floor of a building on 57th Street, New York City. 1953". The play was Simon's 28th written stage production.

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Goofs

There are a few brief inserts of "The Lawrence Welk Show", and Welk's voice is heard saying "thank you, Myron" after a voice-over introduction. The announcer's voice was not that of Myron Floren, a band member who often provided transitions between musical numbers, but that of the regular announcer who opened each show.

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Quotes

Max: I have to look good for a heart attack?

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Connections

References A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

User Reviews

Great cast, funny script.

Nathan Lane all but steals the show, but this movie is also powered by the likes of Victor Garber and Saul Rubinek, among others, a rich and varied ensemble that aid the cause enormously. Neil Simon has given them a script chock full o laughs, with the occasional sappy moment. I found the direction lacking and average, and the music poor, and the location was obviously NOT New York. I'm beginning to recognize Canadian cities! But overall a very nice effort that hold up with the best of the cable movie genre.