Le minus se rebiffe

I remember seeing this film years ago, precable. It made me laugh sooo much. Why doesn't some SMART Columbia person put this out on DVD already. Since Eli is still with us and I think he is in good health, would'nt it be great if he could do a commentary on the film,(or at least an intro, or small interview, like he did for The Good The Bad And The Ugly reissue), prehaps along with Anne as well, if they are both up for it. But anyway it is a real shame that this gem has never been released for home theater viewing. Columbia finally released Good Neighbor Sam, but you have to get it in a box set. Other 60s funny ones I'm waiting for are; The Film Flam Man, The Art Of Love, Cold Turkey, and John Goldfarb Please Come Home.

Back in 1967, a film producer visited my family and asked if they could use our home and our neighbor's home for a new film starring Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. After negotiations, parts of the film were filmed in our home and our neighbor's home.

Since I was in about 6th grade at the time, and since it was the biggest thing to hit our neighborhood, I was allowed to stay home the day of filming.

Being curious, I approached the coach bus parked in front of my home. I stepped inside and sat next to a very nice (handsome) gentleman. We got to talking, as he was very friendly. He explained that he had a small part, not being filmed at my house, and we sat and chatted for awhile. He told me his name, Dustin Hoffman. After ten or fifteen minutes I left the bus.

Just a few years later when watching a movie with Dustin Hoffman, my dad said... isn't that the guy from The Tiger Makes Out? It sure was... and I remembered my conversation on the bus with him. Over the years, I've followed his career.

Last night I was telling a friend about this movie. We later sat down to watch "The Holiday".... I was saying, wow... ELI WALLACH...we were just talking about him. Later in the movie, when there was a short glimpse of Dustin Hoffman, did I really get the chills... Am very curious as to why Dustin made a quick appearance in another of Eli's movies.

Just wish I could get the movie on DVD... searched the internet, and it's not to be found. Too bad... what wonderful memories that movie would bring back!!

Performed 1965-66 season. Director by Jim Leighton; Porterville, Ca The Barn Theater's production of Murray Schisgal's one act plays: The Typists (with Ann B. Davis, Jim Leighton) and The Tiger (Ann. B. Davis, Bill Striglos). Information from 4 page playbill

THE TIGER MAKES OUT is an urban black comedy by Murray Schisgal that stars Eli Wallach as an alienated US mailman who life is in the toilet. He tries to kidnap a young woman to get back at an uncaring society but snags instead, a "middle-aged" suburban housewife (Anne Jackson), who has come into the city to try to finish her baccalaureate degree. In his basement apartment, they find they have much in common and suffer from the same urban malaise and dislike of modern society.

Sterling performances by Wallach and Jackson and many funny bits make this a neurotic delight. There's also a terrific supporting cast of familiar "New York" actors (and others) like Rae Allen, Sudie Bond, Bob Dishy, Charles Nelson Reilly, Dustin Hoffman (film debut), Ruth White, Jack Fletcher, Elizabeth Wilson, Frances Sternhagen, Bibi Osterwalkd, Judith Lowry, etc.

I'm not sure we as a society have improved much in the 50-odd years since this film was made.

I rarely write reviews but this film simply demands more attention than it gets as it contains the most hysterical kidnapping gone comically wrong sequence ever filmed.

I have only seen this once and found it to be the funniest film I had ever had the privilege to watch. I laughed from beginning to end. It is such a shame it is not out on DVD or video.

You can only compare its cinematography with that of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World or Promise her Anything. Only this storyline isn't nearly as complex as Mad World.

I hope in the near future this film is released as it would be a shame to lose such a comedy gem amongst the dregs we have nowadays.