Customer Reviews

Hanky Panky

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hanky Panky is the third and last in a series of Hitchcock inspired comedies. Silver Streak was inspired on The Lady Vanishes. Foul Play was inspired by The Man Who Knew Too Much (the remake). Hanky Panky is inspired by North by North West. Each film is funny but as they use more prominent films they are more easily compared and do not fare as well. North by Northwest is one of Hitchcock's most famous films with some of his most famous scenes - the crop dusting scene and Mt. Rushmore. Therefore, this film starts in a hole and unfortunately never quite comes out of it.

Now that's the bad news. The good news is as a stand alone film, it is rather funny. Its stars are husband and wife team Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. Both have a great background in slapstick comedy. Gene from his Mel Brooks films and Gilda from her stint on SNL. They get the most from every gag and situation. And director Sidney Poitier gets to stay behind the camera this time but uses what he learned directing the trio of comedies he made with Bill Cosby.

Wilder is Michael Jordan, a man who accidentally gets involved in espionage. Gilda is Kate Hellman, a woman who is trying find her brother's killer. At first they think the other is the bad guy but once they realize the other is not, they team up to solve the mystery. If you have seen North by Northwest, you will compare it unfavorably. If you have not seen NNW, then you might not understand some of the sight gags. But remember this is a comedy and is not to be taken too seriously. Just enjoy.

DVD EXTRAS: None

The beautiful and reknowned late Gilda Radner with Gene Wilder rule in this delightful mystery spoof about a mistaken murder.Check it out!!Gilda, we all love and miss you dearly!!

You can't go wrong with a Gene Wilder movie when you want to watch something fun. This movie has always been a favorite of mine, not just because of Gene Wilder, but because it feels like a mystery movie that just happens to be comedic. This is also a wonderful movie where you can see the comedic chemistry between Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner.

This will not be numbered among the better films made by Sidney Poitier(director), Gene Wilder (star) nor Richard Widmark (supporting actor), all of whom have been involved with superior films, but will provide a solid base for an evenings entertainment. The plot is of the genre in which Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Red Skelton, Gene Wilder, himself, and many others before and since, have made excellent use for laughs, the spy thriller comedy. I don't know that I would call them a spoof on the serious film since,often, they do have their own brand of suspense and "thrills"; but they can be very funny indeed. In this case, the writers have relied far too much on some of Wilder's trademarked vocal emissions and far too little on his ability to deliver comedy lines and gestures. In fact, it is as difficult to find a funny line in the film as it is to find a novel plot device. Wilder does as well as could be expected under the circumstances, which, for me, was the major source of fun though not laughs. Gilda Radner was completely wasted, given no opportunity to do more than any third rate actress could have equaled. Richard Widmark is menacing early on, but becomes wooden as the dialogue and action descend to Perils of Pauline levels. There are a number of other highly capable actors who sink under the weight of the script. Yet, perhaps it is only my affection both for Wilder and for the genre, I did find it entertaining and would recommend it to any viewer who can approach it with modest expectations and view it in the same spirit as one would an extended TV comedy skit.

Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner star in this 1982 comedy thriller.
A woman helps an architect who's falsely accused of murder.
I've always enjoyed this film and Gene and Gilda were great
together. This dvd has decent picture and sound, but only
a trailer. I recommend this good comedy.

It is an excellent movie. With amusing situations, both of action, suspense and a plot that keeps you close to the end. Finally recognized the genius of Gene Wilder.

How could this be, this movie was made only 3 years before anybody ever heard of his Airness how and he was portrayed as from Chicago as well? have always laughed any time I see the part that shows him in the phone booth yelling "MY NAME IS MICHAEL JORDAN!" Too funny

wilder and gilder, the names look like they rhyme, but they are pronounced differently. of course, it's not gilder, it's gilda. and it's past my bedtime.

For a fan of Gilda Radner, this movie was a big disappointment. I thought she died of cancer, but maybe she really died of embarrassment over appearing in this movie. I'd say the primary culprit is the writer, but I'd like to point out to the director (S. Poitier) that having the actors scream their lines, doesn't make them any funnier.

Note to parents and the squeamish: The movie opens with some fairly distressing scenes. I definitely would not show it to my preteens.