Mister gaffes

I saw this on cable around 1982, and have fondly remembered it ever since. Very funny! My sister and I cracked up the whole time watching the average-Joe, Gary Busey, try to win the love of rich-girl, Annette O'Toole, and the crazy antics involving the butler. The butler (Tony Randall) was so funny in this movie! Unfortunately, it is not currently available on DVD/video. I sure hope it is re-released soon.

This little seen film, which I caught for the first time over twenty years ago, is a wonderful throwback to 1930's screwball comedy in more ways than one. Young hick (Busey) starts college at the University of Minnesota, and falls in love with debutante O'Toole, despite her mother's intentions to marry her to society dolt Calvin. What ensues are a series of pratfalls and slapstick bits that, while not terribly deep, are nonetheless quite funny. More importantly, Busey and O'Toole are so damn likeable, you really do want them to fall in love.

But, like all great 1930s comedies, what makes the film sparkle is not the lead performances (in the 30s, these were usually played by likeable ingenues without much depth), but by the character actors who formed the background for the story. This film is no different in that the film is practically stolen from the leads by three splendid supporting performances -- Cloris Leachman as O'Toole's society-conscious mother, Eddie Albert as O'Toole's crusty grandfather and Busey's boss, and especially Tony Randall as Leachman's butler. Randall's performance deserves special note because his stiff demeanor is beautifully contrasted with his profane and off-color dialogue (the final words we hear from him, behind closed doors, almost made me fall off my chair laughing).

While no masterpiece, this is a wonderful picture to watch if you'd like a brief look at a long lost style of filmmaking.

No other movie has ever been made or will ever be made that can top Foolin' Around. Gary Busey's performance is pure genius. The amount of times someone gets hit in the nuts only leaves you wanting more. "Everytime I get around that guy something goes Haywire"...

Back in like 1982, before we had real cable, my dad had a single cable channel! Remember those days they played the same movies for a month and after midnight soft core x rated films. Nonetheless, I saw this film one sat. afternoon. It is absolutely hilarious and I cannot believe more folks have not seen it. If you like the south park guys, this is a good show to see where they learned some of the off color comedy. I have to say that if you like comedy and surprises you should ck. it out. I have been trying to find it recently. I am sure ebay will be a good bet. I have nothing but good things to say regarding this film. Gary Busy's best! Anette O' tooles awesome. I have nothing but great things to say about the Tony Randall character. Also the end lines from his character are classic.

This movie has too much adult material in it, but if you accept that fact, it is a pretty good movie. Busey plays Wes, a likable underdog from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. His friend Clay has been going to the University of Minnesota, and Wes enrolls to learn building engineering. Susan's grandfather offers wisdom to young Wes. Seals and Crofts perform the title song and "These Moments Never Live Again." The movie paints Minnesota in a favorable light. It shows a Vikings game and the Mississippi River, and it gives you the feeling you're right there. There is a lot of silliness in this movie, but, then, it's called "Foolin' Around."