![Local Hero (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81lTbbSgtzL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
![How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81704yHaqqL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection (BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91reTAYWeNL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Venus [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YaFrhW75L._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Indiscreet [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rWw2hhFrL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Babe 2-Movie Family Fun Pack [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91sQcHOJOxL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
This charming and funny film opens somewhat surprisingly with Nat King Cole’s flawless rendition of “Stardust”. The song creates the perfect mood for the film, a bit of light whimsy mixed with melancholy. “My Favorite Year” is often farcical, and as such is acted more like a play than in a naturalistic way. Everything is a bit exaggerated, at times almost cartoonish, as if to say none of this could have possibly happened, but it makes a funny story, and it does.
It was directed by Richard Benjamin, a popular actor in seventies films like “Goodbye Columbus” and “Diary of a Mad Housewife” and is considered his best film as a director. It was based on a story by Dennis Palumbo with a screenplay by Norman Steinberg, who as a writer knew the milieu well, and is best known for “Blazing Saddles. Mel Brooks himself was executive producer and certainly must have helped with the writing as it’s based on his own experiences as a writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” an early television comedy show that ran from 1950 to 1954.
It’s no wonder the show is now a legend of comedy. The writers included Brooks, Carl Reiner, Woody Allen, Neil Simon, Selma Diamond and Caesar himself. All are represented in one way or another in the film. Point of view character and narrator Benjy Stone is a combination of Brooks and Allen, both junior members of the writing staff back then. Mark Lin-Baker gives a winning performance as the new staff member who becomes the minder of erratic film star Alan Swann. He’s very good with comic facial expressions in the crazy situations that develop when being a junior partner in adventure with Swann. Neil Simon often whispered his ideas to other writers in order to be paid attention over the usual din and here he is character Herb Lee. Sy Benson, head writer is likely Carl Reiner, though that’s not identifiable by any specific quirks.
King Kaiser is, of course, Sid Caesar, and Joseph Bologna even looks a lot like the comedian. Selma Diamond is actually in the movie, though not as herself, but as wardrobe person Lil, who gets a funny moment in the ladies’ room with her unmistakable voice (She was memorably the telephone voice of Spencer Tracy’s wife in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”). Cameron Mitchell, known for (“The High Chaparral”) is union boss Rojeck, based on Jimmy Hoffa. The rest of the supporting cast is spot on, notably nightclub singer Lanie Kazan as Benji’s mother.
Of course there’s Peter O’Toole. After all, it’s his film and one for which he received his seventh of eight Academy Award Best Actor nominations (he had to settle for an honorary Oscar in the end). Alan Swann is, of course, based on Errol Flynn as the swashbuckling film clips indicate. Some clips come from O’Toole’s films: “Lord Jim” (1965) provides footage that suggests “The Charge of the Light Brigade” and “Great Catherine” (1968) more eighteenth century swashbuckling fare. Most notably is a re-creation of part of the staircase set where Flynn and Basil Rathbone have their final fight in “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (which Benji shows in his apartment). Even the red and gold costume on the Rathbone character generally matches the one in the original film.
Based on Flynn’s reputation for a hedonistic lifestyle, O’Toole had had the same reputation in his youth and so could understand the character well. He never tries to imitate any of the mannerisms of Flynn himself, but wisely opted to fully create the character of Alan Swann. He’s almost surprisingly able to excel at even the most broadly comic parts, as he was known almost entirely for serious roles with the exception of “The Ruling Class”. At the same time he brings real pathos to Swann as well, a man well past his prime known for being a character quite unlike himself who missed out on any kind of normal life. O’Toole also, like Flynn, opted to do almost all his own stunts. What’s amazing about that is that he had had several health issues in the 1970’s that included major surgery and was over fifty. It’s a real performance.
Though based on many real people and elements, none of this actually happened. Errol Flynn had appeared on “Your Show of Shows” once, but without any problems and without needing a minder; he was just a normal guest star. Brooks had been telling stories of the old days which gave Dennis Palumbo the idea, which Brooks felt was worthy of a script. It’s a great “What if…” story. I don’t know if this early 80s film is known that much anymore but it’s certainly worth seeing.
A bit of trivia that could possibly add to your enjoyment of the film in a small way: the older woman with whom Alan Swann dances at The Stork Club is actress Gloria Stuart, now known for playing the elder Rose in “Titanic”. When Alan Swann runs off with an attractive woman at The Stork Club, her date yells out, “Somebody stole my girl!” The band, hearing it as a request, begins playing the song with the same title that was popular in 1918.
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
Frequently bought together
This item: My Favorite Year (1982)
$19.49
Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 31
In Stock
+
+
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
- The Lion in WinterVariousDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jan 31
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (DVD)Michael KeatonDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jan 31
- Local Hero (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]Denis LawsonDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jan 31
- Man of La ManchaPeter O'TooleDVDFREE ShippingGet it Jan 31 - Feb 6Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
- The African QueenRobert MorleyDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jan 31
Very good service!
Amazon was very prompt in delivering this marvellous comedy, one of the greatest and funniest films ever made. Peter O'Toole turns in one of his best performances in this beloved classic from 1982. This made our year. And "My Favourite Year" will make YOUR year, too! Thanks, Amazon!
Top reviews from other countries
- Kenneth Stephen LavineReviewed in Canada on August 14, 2021
What I thought was a lost Masterpiece
-
SpasspredigerReviewed in Germany on February 29, 2020
Geheimtipp auf solider Blu Ray
-
-
francois denisReviewed in France on May 10, 2015
Peter O'Toole en vedette hollywoodienne alcoolique et sur le retour : sympa mais pas assez achevé.
