Barefoot in the Park

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 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!!!

This was terrific---brilliantly funny! I only wish HBO would make this title available on DVD. I remember watching this version many years ago. I watched it many times as I thought it was so well put together. Bess Armstrong and Richard Thomas worked so well as the leading characters. Hans Conried and Barbara Barrie were no less than marvelous. Most of---if not all of the scenes were shot in the small two room apartment.

Are there any plans to make this title available? Is there are way to contact HBO for a request? So many great titles have been lost and I believe this is one of them.

Mickey

I have been looking for this version of Barefoot to come available for years now. Barbara Barrie was brilliantly funny. Richard Thomas was also exhaustingly funny. The whole cast works together so well. I saw this version of Barefoot on HBO as an 8th grader and was so captivated by the play and the actors performance that 23 years later (I enjoyed it that much) I am still in hopes that one day I will find this released to DVD. This play, but more especially the actors performance made me want to be an actor. This is such fun to watch. From memory it moves very quickly, is full of energy, full of love and full of fun. I thought the Redford/Fonda version would suffice in lieu of finding this version on tape or DVD, but it really didn't. Not to say that the Redford/Fonda version wasn't good - I just liked this better. HBO, please release to DVD is all that I request.