I heard for years about OFF YOUR ROCKER because when I became the expert of cinema that I am today I began from very old movies and this appeared in the filmography of many of the cast members I'll mention. And when I saw it in January 2024 I certainly was glad I finally gave it a view.
The story is set at Mapleview retirement home where the residents rebel against their nurses because and take the entire staff hostage for some simple demands: they want more freedom (even to stay up until late night watching TV), real food since they can't stand the one they have served, no more illnesses caused by the malfunctioning sanity and more love between them. In the meanwhile all sorts of shenanigans happen including: wheelchair bound Seymour Saltz (Red Buttons) that complains of the fact that he can't go to the bathroom all by himself tho towards the end finally succedds in walking on his feet; Shelley Delane (Dorothy Malone, who was still 56 at the time so too young for staying at a retirement home in the first place) is a former showgirl that at a certain point starts dancing herself stripping on the main table up until security arrives after hearing the chaos; Henry Foster and Max Adler (Milton Berle and Lou Jacobi) that at the buffet protest with the nurses because they want to stay there more and also for going in the swimming pool after digestion. In the end after lots of arguing they'll manage to rebel against the staff and finally celebrate thanksgiving.
When looking the cast list you'll certainly be impressed by the appearence of old time stars: Berle, Buttons, Jacobi, Malone. But I saw it also because there is in a supporting role, as a young unscrupulous lawyer that was in cahoots with the staff for stealing half of their pensions... Michael Ironside when he appeared in lots of minor Canadian productions. And not only I am the first person who ever reviewed this TV movie but he became the first actor ever of which, nearly two months later, I arrived to 100 titles (and now 177!).
Overall, a funny TV movie that you could watch for a laugh or two when you are tired at home. Spot-on for the cast.
