Movie Movie

I viewed this movie in Israel, where it was shown with subtiles. Whilst discusing the movie what stood out was how those who had relied only on the text viewed it as a serious presentation exactly as the style/era that it was spofing. Contrast this with native English speakers, who also were familiar with the era could detect the various sendups and would frequently burst out in peals of laughter. All in all I found it very well presented and acted, well worth viewing both for it's content and social comment.

Just wrote a review of the far, far, far, far, inferior "National Lampoon's Movie Madness," which also parodies films, though contemporary ones. I brought up "Movie Movie" as an example of the same concept which is as excellent as the National Lampoon movie is awful.

This is a delightful trip back to the movies of the 1930's. Somehow I saw this movie when it first came out. I guess I sought it out as (having been an eager consumer of Mad Magazine as a little squirt) I am a fan of parodies and mockumentaries of this sort. I remember watching it in a tiny closet-sized movie theater in a shopping mall in New Jersey. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the only movie theater in the state of New Jersey that played it. I was only 12 years old at the time, and obviously not around during the 1930's, but I had been exposed to enough old movies on television during my young life that I enjoyed the whole thing fully.

I remember noticing that both movies start off with the same stock footage of a busy Manhattan street, the first one in black and white of course, and the second one in color, both backed by a similar jaunty tune meant to evoke the bustle of Manhattan in the 1930's. Sure to provoke a big laugh even before we meet the characters or hear the first line of dialog.

Who know George C. Scott had such a facility for comedy? It's worth finding out. If you are in any way, shape or form a fan of crusty old movies, you should seek this out. A lovable way to spend 100 minutes.

Affectionate parody of 1930's movies with Scott hamming it up perfectly in double roles. There's a boxing drama, then a corny musical, but it adds up to fun in this pleasant trip down Hollywood's memory lane.

A quick glance at the user comments will tell you that this film is worth seeing. I'm neither a musical fanatic nor a boxing enthusiast, but the numbers, performances and nuances were entrancing.

Somehow, Donen found the perfect blend for the self-reflexive genre picture, a combination that is exceedingly difficult for modern filmmakers to get a handle on. The viewer is watching a spoof yet all of the elements are still real. We feel for the pitifully archetypal characters because it seems that they realize their fate as symbols. George C. Scott's glances of reaction, just askew of breaking the third wall, depict someone who is aware of his limited fate, but still experiences with all of his emotions every situation as if he doesn't know it's coming. In this way, the actors, as in the Brechtian mode of theater, are somewhat like audience members themselves. They know the story and the ending, but they can't help suspending their disbelief, just for fun.

The musical numbers work in the same way. They are spoofs, fulfilling specific purposes and making all the proper illusions, yet are thoroughly enjoyable as musical numbers.

"Movie Movie" isn't necessarily a great movie, but it gives the illusion of greatness in its sincerity. In a medium where the audience often feels that they are the butt of a joke only the director knows the setup to, "Movie Movie" puts across the feeling that the director genuinely enjoys movies and expects everyone involved to derive the same pleasure from them.

MOVIE, MOVIE is a forgotten gem from the late 70's which is an affectionate spoof of a 1930's double feature (there's even a preview of coming attractions)that is divided into two separate films that run about 50 minutes a piece. The first film, "Dynamite Hands" is a black and white "Golden Boy"-type spoof with Harry Hamlin as a young boxer rising to the top with George C. Scott as his manager, Red Buttons as his trainer, Kathleen Beller as his hometown girlfriend and Ann Reinking as a nightclub singer named Troubles Moran. The second film is called "Baxter's Beauties of 1933" and is a colorful spoof of films like 42nd STREET with George C. Scott featured again as the egomaniacal director, Barry Bostwick as the idealistic young songwriter, Rebecca York (who years later would practically steal the Broadway show VICTOR/VICTORIA from Julie Andrews) as the young Ruby Keeler type and Trish VanDevere as the bitchy diva who York eventually replaces. True movie buffs and fans of these kinds of movies will be in cinema heaven here...a loving tribute to a bygone era that works thanks to spirited direction by Stanley Donen and an energetic cast.