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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Neil Simon's Broadway hit about an effort to reunite a pair of aged vaudevillians for a TV special is both funny and poignant, thanks to the inspired casting of Walter Matthau (perhaps the consummate Simon actor) and George Burns (who kicked off something of a career comeback with this Oscar-winning role). They play a former comedy team who split up years ago over disagreements about how the act should be performed and, more importantly, over their conflicting views about the importance of show business versus that of life. Matthau is hilarious, sometimes touchingly so, while Burns remains a master of comic economy. Richard Benjamin is also good as Matthau's nephew who brings them back together. This was remade for television with Peter Falk and Woody Allen. --Marshall Fine
Amazon.com:
Based on Neil Simon's popular Broadway play, this 1975 film directed by Herbert Ross (The Turning Point, Footloose) pairs the legendary comic talents of Walter Matthau and George Burns as two old-time vaudevillians who could never stand the sight of each other. The two curmudgeons are roped into appearing on a television reunion special, and they find themselves rehashing the same arguments they had 50 years earlier. Burns came out of retirement for this role and won an Oscar for his work as the laconic half of the duo, while Matthau shines as the ham-handed antagonistic egomaniac. One of Neil Simon's snappiest creations has been energetically brought to life in this enjoyable comedy, and it's a rare opportunity to see two legends in finest form. --Robert Lane
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - manificent walter matthau
i have seen the movie at least ten times on tv. if you are a "matthau" fan, you must buy it. put it on your dvd if you are a little down and i assure you it will pass as the movie develops!!
Rating:  - THE NOT TOO FUNNY BOYS
WE WERE TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS MOVIE--TOO MUCH SCREAMING AND UNHAPPINESS. WE DID NOT ENJOY THIS MOVIE--IN FACT I GAVE IT AWAY ALREADY. NOW WE ENJOY GEORGE BURNS AND WALTER MATTHAU BUT THIS WAS BENEATH THEIR ABILITY.
Rating: - Peer under the mask of Vaudeville characters
From the wisecracking opening salvos to the heartfelt ending this movie is sheer hilarity that leaves you with more than badda bing badda boom punchlines and broad brush slapstick. It allows us a look under the grease paint of two vaudevillians who have been through the trials and triumphs of one of comedy's most unique times and how when brought back together for a nostalgic revisit fall back into their act and old habits which agitate each other to our delight. Walter Matthau plays Willie who ... Read More
Rating:  - HI-larious!
But you'd probably have to understand Neil Simon to agree. This one has alot of that edge found in brighton beach memoirs which came several years later.
Rating: - Matthau and Burns--the perfect couple
Acting more odd than he was in the Odd Couple, and definitely more grumpy than he was in Grumpy Old Men, Walter Matthau turns in an over-the-top performance as the volatile half of the Lewis and Clark vaudeville team. (He plays the impatient Willie Clark.) The perfect foil for Matthau's Clark is George Burns as his partner for 57 years--and then ex-partner for another 11--Al Lewis.
Much of Neil Simon's comedies focus on the pairing of people with irreconcilable differences, like The Odd ... Read More
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