The Gin Game

It takes a bit to get used to VanDyke and Moore as the antithesis of Rob and Laura but the quicker you do it the sooner you can enjoy this well-produced version of D.L. Coburn's play. The rapport between these two is still present and just as sharp as it was 40 years ago. The text (written in 1978) holds up well. Direction and camera work are also fine. A film well worth seeing/owning.

When I saw The Gin Game on Broadway in 1977 with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy I thought for sure I had seen the best play ever.

Then when I saw Charles Durning and Julie Harris perform it again on Broadway 20 years later, with my fiancee, I said "Okay, this is it. This one is the best."

Then last night I was flipping channels. I saw the card table and I realized what it was: "Look, it's The Gin Game!" I said to my bride, "Are you kidding me, it's Dick Van Dyck and Mary Tyler Moore."

I loved it. I think you can do more with a dramatic play on television, believe it or not.

Cheery Dick Van Dyck was an almost convincing Weller, but Mary is too sweet for a Fonsia. I am quite certain I saw Julie Harris stand up, lean over the table, shove the cards in Charles Durning's face and bellow triumphantly "Gin, F*cking Gin!". There's no way our dear Mary Richards would ever say that! :-)

The portrayals in this version are more subtle. You catch more of it in this version: The excellent script doesn't get lost in the commotion.

A great show. Don't miss it!

When I saw this on the shelf at Hastings I thought,oh a movie version of the play huh.I enjoyed the play a lot more but the movie was pretty good. But I still hold the play in high regard. I saw the play way back in I can't remember while vacationing in the beautiful city of Boston,Mass. I don't exactly remember who was i it but I left the play house thinking that was a great play and was acted extremely well. This is coming from a guy who enjoyed Dracula the Ballet. I recommend seeing the play first then the movie but that's just me. I know that some people probably won't get a chance to see the play but all in all the movie is pretty close to the play itself. If I ever had a chance to see this play again I would drop whatever I was doing and see it. As I have said before and if you can see the play first then the movie. I hope that you won't be disappointed.

Casting for this revival of the bittersweet play was perfect. I have enjoyed the work of these two wonderful actors throughout their careers. This play is a perfect vehicle for a reunion of Rob and Laura Petrie. At my age, the play is almost too close for comfort - I see Weller in me, but I don't plan to go down the same path...

I highly recommend this production to anyone wishing to encounter a slice of reality portrayed by two gifted actors.

The movie was good and I was enthralled by the connection between Moore and Dyke. The only problem I had with the film was the ending. The ending is very abrupt when you don't really expect it.

Yet over all it was an intriguing story of two elderly people.