Enter Laughing

This film is a classic thanks to a superb and wonderful cast, headed by newcomer then, Reni Santoni. Unless you've had an interest in becoming an actor, you probably won't enjoy the film as much. However, if you ever wanted to be a famous actor or a famous "somebody," this is your movie. The story is set back in the late 1930's about a young man just out of high school who decides he wants to be an actor. His parents, of course, are dead set against the idea. They want him to go to "pharmacy school" to become a druggist. David (Reni Santoni) is determined to become an actor even if it kills him. He starts going to acting school at a local run-down theatre owned by Jose Ferrer. There he begins acting lessons with instructor Ferrer and his daughter Elaine May, in some of the film's funniest moments, as they prepare David for his debut on stage. This is a great film with a great cast that includes Shelley Winters, another then newcomer Don Rickles, David Opatoshu, Michael J. Pollard, Janet Margolin, Rob Reiner, and the very pretty Nancy Kovack. The finale of the film had me rolling on the floor with tears in my eyes from laughing so much. The previous reviewer criticized the casting of Reni Santoni, but this was perfect casting in every way. I love the film and highly recommend it.

A terrific movie whose human and humorous story is enlivened by an ensemble company of great character actors at the top of their form: Shelley Winters as the archetypal manipulative mom, Jack Gilford as the tough but sympathetic boss, Ferrer and May, Richard Deacon as the long-suffering stage manager, Michael G. Pollard as the best friend, and Don Rickles as the put-upon Harry Hamburger.

But Ferrer gets two of my favorite lines in all of cinema. Walking by as Rickles and Santoni exchange pants -- don't ask -- he says, "We don't GO for that sort of thing." And, forced to complement Santoni after a disastrous performance, he mutters to himself, "Thank God I'm an alcoholic!"

This is a poignant, funny, coming of age film, based loosely on Carl Reiner's introduction to show business during the depression. Teenage David decides to become an actor to the dismay of his mother, played superbly by Shelley Winters, as an ever-suffering Jewish Mom ("Whatever makes you happy"). There are great performances by Jack Gilford as David's old-world boss, worried that he may be mixed up with an Italian girl ("Wanda, I think", he tells David when she calls). Mel Ferrer and Reni Santoni have a hilarious scene, on which the title is based, where David is given the stage direction "Enter Laughing", and does his best to comply, with no success. It brought tears to my eyes. Elaine May sets up punch lines like a pro, and Janet Margolin is adorable as the girlfriend, and Don Rickles has a nice, small role, that suits him well.

The screenplay sounds like it was written by Neil Simon. It should have gotten more recognition. Well Worth seeing.

Enter Laughing is based upon a book written by Carl Reiner on his own experiences breaking into show business. You would think that this would be hysterical, a worthy rival to the producers. But, this film declines to go in that direction. Instead, it is an delicately balanced blend of slapstick, satire, and pathos that suffers a bit from being a bit too gentle with its lead character.

A huge problem is the miscasting of Reni Santoni as Carl Reiner. Rob Reiner was in the film in a minor role. It remains a mystery to me why Rob was not given the lead; he is much more suited to it than the gentle Santoni.

Nevertheless, the supporting cast is terrific, most especially Elaine May, Jose Ferrer, Janet Margolin, Jack Gilford, Don Rickles, Nancy Kovack, David Opatoshu, and Shelley Winters. And, it will make you smile and titter, but not guffaw.

I first saw the last three quarters of this movie on TV in the early 70's. I couldn't stop laughing. I purchased the video several years ago, and after having seen the movie at least 3 or 4 time since, I still can't stop laughing. It's easily the funniest movie I've ever seen, and it didn't get nearly the recognition it should have /I guess the Viet Nam war numbed our funny bones back in 1967/. This movie should be brought back in an updated, digitized format. If anyone goes to see it - prepare to laugh. Also, besides being a very funny movie, it's also a very cute movie than everyone will enjoy. It's hard to believe that this movie was made almost 40 years ago. It just goes to show that real humor is ageless. Many would think that comedian Don Rickles would be the funny one in this film, but it turns out that Jose Ferrer and Jack Gilford are the real funny men. I could go on and on about this film - get a copy of it and enjoy. You'll see what I mean.