Play It Again, Sam (1972)

A neurotic film critic obsessed with the movie Casablanca (1942) attempts to get over his wife leaving him by dating again with the help of a married couple and his illusory idol, Humphrey Bogart.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

Woody Allen (based on the play by), Woody Allen (screenplay)

Stars:

Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Woody Allen	...	Allan
Diane Keaton	...	Linda
Tony Roberts	...	Dick
Jerry Lacy	...	Bogart
Susan Anspach	...	Nancy
Jennifer Salt	...	Sharon
Joy Bang	...	Julie
Viva	...	Jennifer
Susanne Zenor	...	Discotheque Girl (as Suzanne Zenor)
Diana Davila	...	Museum Girl
Mari Fletcher	...	Fantasy Sharon
Michael Greene	...	Hood #1
Ted Markland	...	Hood #2

Storyline

A mild mannered film critic is dumped by his wife and his ego is crushed. His hero persona is the tough guy played by Humphrey Bogart in many of his movies and the apparition of Bogart begins showing up to give him advice. With the encouragement of his two married friends, he actually tries dating again, with less than satisfactory results, until he relaxes.

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Plot Keywords:

dating | neurosis | imaginary friend | san francisco california | based on play | 

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Taglines:

Here's laughing at you, kid.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

5 May 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Play It Again, Sam

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,413

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Rollins-Joffe Productions, APJAC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Italy, the film is known as "Provaci ancora, Sam" ("Try again, Sam"), and Woody Allen's character was called "Sam" as it was feared Italian audiences wouldn't understand the Casablanca (1942) reference, even though the film is of course very popular in Italy, too.

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Goofs

In his struggle with the hair-dryer in the bathroom, Allan knocks out half the contents of the medicine cabinet. In the next shot, the bottles he knocked out are back in the cabinet.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[clip from 'Casablanca']
Airport guard: Hello, radio tower, Lisbon plane taking off in ten minutes, east runway. Thank you.
Richard 'Rick' Blaine: Louis, have your man go with Mr. Lazlo and take care of his luggage.
Captain Renault: Certainly, Rick, anything you say. Find Mr. Lazlo's luggage and put it on the plane.
Airport guard: Yes, sir. This way please.

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Alternate Versions

The long-lost "Making Of Play It Again, Sam" featurette included a cut scene of Woody watching a mini-skirted girl climb a ladder in his film magazine office. The still of this scene was used on many foreign posters for the film.

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Connections

Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Diane Keaton (2017)

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Soundtracks

As Time Goes By
from Casablanca (1942) (uncredited)
Written by Herman Hupfeld
Sung by Dooley Wilson

User Reviews

Very good Woody Allen film

Allen plays a film critic who has been cruelly dumped by his wife. He wants to meet other women but is very neurotic (no surprise there). He idolizes Humphrey Bogart who shows up from time to time to give him advice on dealing with woman. His best friends--couple Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts--try to help also. Naturally he ends up falling for Keaton.

Allen didn't direct this (Herbert Ross did) but he wrote it. So it sounds like a Woody Allen film but doesn't LOOK like an Allen film. For one thing it was shot in San Francisco--not New York! It's also somewhat dated in 1970s dialogue and fashion. There's also a running joke involving Roberts and telephones that doesn't work today. Still this is a very good film.

It is an affectionate take-off on "Casablanca" and other old films also. Allen is playing has patented neurotic character but I've always found him funny and his disastrous dates are just great. Also him, Keaton and Roberts always worked well together and it makes their relationship seem very believable. And Jerry Lacy is VERY funny playing Bogart and giving Allen advice.

If you don't like Woody Allen movies this probably won't change your mind. But I found it fast, funny and very entertaining. And the dated 70s touches were actually quite funny. I give this a 8.