Rowan & Martin at the Movies

Rowan & Martin at the Movies (1968)

*** (out of 4)

Rowan and Martin show up at MGM studios and try to tell folks why they should buy U.S. Savings Bonds. The two actually have a pretty funny little stand up act but the real highlight here are the various stars that pop up in cameos. The stars include: Carol Burnett, Doris Day, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Andy Griffith, Bob Hope, Don Knotts, Dean Martin, Michael Landon, Barbara McNair and MPAA head Jack Valenti. Directed by Jack Arnold (Creature from the Black Lagoon, Tarantula and various others).

Basically a very silly short feature to sell US Savings Bonds. The hosts of "Laugh-In" host this. They offer real lame jokes and the whole movie is much in the style of a "Laugh-In" episode--fragmented bits and pieces of people saying nonsensical things (like "Sock it to me"). None of this is even remotely funny although all the "guest stars" that pop up are kind of fun. And there is a VERY short musical number from "The Young Americans" that was kind of cool. But, all in all, I though it was just silly (if interesting).

Now, I HATE "Laugh-in" so maybe this wasn't for me. However if you love "Laugh-In" you might like this.

This is like a short version of the old "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" program, with a touch of Americana thrown in. What makes this work for me is the clips of all the movie and television stars doing their thing to sell U.S. Bonds. A very entertaining little short film. If you have the chance to see it, then do--a bit nostalgic for those of us who were lucky enough to remember "Laugh-In"!!!

"Laugh-In" TV hosts Dan Rowan and Dick Martin arrive at the studio ("2001: A Space Odyssey" is showing) to film a short promotional film. They want you to buy US Savings Bonds. This is done in the style of their comedy show, with writer Paul Keyes helping to give it the "sock it to me" appeal. The comic duo have a rapport and are genuinely funny. They wouldn't make it, today, without ditching Dan's cigarette smoking and Dick's female conquest stories. Several celebrity clips are show. Most appear to be recirculated from other sources. This is the case with the memorable clip of Mr. Martin kissing Doris Day (from "The Glass Bottom Boat"). Funniest is probably Don Knotts. He and co-star Andy Griffith are likely clips from the "Laugh-In" series. Best musical interlude, from Barbara McNair, is unfortunately cut short.

**** Rowan & Martin at the Movies (1968) Jack Arnold ~ Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Doris Day, Don Knotts

This is an odd pitch for buying U.S. Savings Bonds with some unlikely choices of material from the team featured on LAUGH IN several decades ago. Maybe fans of the show will find some amusement in the rather stale jokes and stand-up comic routines of Rowan & Martin, but don't expect too much if you're from the younger generation and unfamiliar with the show's running gags.

Clips showing various film and TV personalities go by quickly, with recurring shots of Martin kissing Doris Day (clips are from "The Glass Bottom Boat") which is supposed to be hilarious.

Sorry, but this one doesn't even lead to the promotion of bonds until the last few minutes.

Strange, and not really worth watching unless you're die-hard fans of the LAUGH IN show.