Barefoot in the Park

I seen this play on HBO so many years ago and have been looking for it every since. I thought that this version of the movie was very hilarious. Bess Armstrong was very great in her role, as well as Richard Thomas. This was so much better than the movie done by Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. I can not believe it is not available for purchase. I wish I would have recorded it when it was on TV, to my great regret I did not. Do anyone have any idea where one might find this version either to rent or buy. Or have anyone heard if they (HBO or any other network) will air this again. So if anyone finds this play please advise the rest of us who is so desperately looking to see it again. Thanks!!!

I saw this when it first aired on HBO - and found it MUCH funnier and more entertaining than the bland, drab, and, in my opinion, un-funny Fonda/Redford film. Perhaps it was the fact that it was a stage production with a live audience, but the acting and chemistry are far superior. Hans Conreid and Barbara Barrie are delightful, and Richard Thomas and Bess Armstrong give Neil Simon's material the comedic flavor it deserves. (Look for James Cromwell in a memorable small role as the telephone repair man).

The "fight" scenes alone have twice the energy and comedy than the film version. Example:

Corie: "You're very nearly perfect!" Paul: "That's a rotten thing to say!"

The delivery of this in the stage version is SO much more fun than Redford's ho-hum delivery of the same line. (anyone having seen both will know what I mean . . . ) I would HIGHLY recommend this version over the more "famous" Fonda film. I only wish that whatever studio owns it would put it out on DVD! I'd watch it again and again . . .

I actually had a VHS copy of this play when it appeared on TV. It was loaned to a daughter who tossed it out! I would love to find a video or DVD of this. Has anyone attempted to contact Mr. Thomas to see if maybe he has access to any copies? There MUST be a copy in an archive someplace. HBO does not list this play. Has anyone tried to contact them? The actors were amazing. Barbara Barrie was brilliant and her comedic talent shined. Bess Armstrong's character played beautifully and related so well to the other actors. No one actor tried to steal the show but they all were a team in getting the best performances out of each other. This is one of Neil Simons's best plays. The later version of it with Mr. Redford just did not hit the bullseye for me. I think that anyone who had seen the Thoms version was spoiled. For me to remember all the actors' names is a tribute to their performances. This treasure should not be forgotten and should be resurrected.

I love this version as well and would love to once again see this production. I was pretty young when this aired but I remember seeing it all the time and even though I was only around 7 at the time, I enjoyed it and would like to view it as an adult.

If someone is willing to send me a VHS copy I'd be happy to preserve it onto DVD at no cost. Just so that the deteriorating VHS tapes can be preserved in some fashion, I may even be able to clean it up a bit. I can do this all on my computer and make it look very professional with menus, chapter stops etc.

I'm trying to preserve lots of 80's HBO features not on DVD, for instance HBO short takes etc. Anything that I can remember from HBO in the 80's I'd love to preserve.

I was captivated by this play (on HBO) 24 years ago (13 years old) and surprised to read comments by others with the same enthusiasm. This play opened my eyes to the theater, how truly wonderful it is to see great actors perform on stage (and even be so enchanted seated on a couch in my own home). I rented the movie with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford and did not think much of it. I have been looking for this version from HBO and have not had any luck. If a version does come out on DVD, I would love to own a copy to show my daughter, also. I have seen Richard Thomas also in TV movies and have enjoyed his acting abilities in every one of them. Bess Armstrong as well.