My Favorite Year (DVD, 2002)

This movie is one of my favorite comedies -- laugh-out-loud, tears-in-your-eyes funny--filled with unforgettable vignettes, but containing a subtle message about public image vs. private, authentic self.

Filmed in 1982, it's set in NY in the golden Age of live TV, on the set of a show probably reminiscent of Sid Caesar. It stars Peter O'Toole as Alan Swann, a fading, alcoholic former star of swashbuckling films (doubtlessly modeled after Erroll Flynn, who once appeared on "Your Show of Shows", albeit incident-free?). The movie follows the efforts of comedy writer Benjy Stone to keep Swann sober thus ensuring the actor's appearance on the show.

After seeing the film, read the Wikipedia article on this movie for all the background. No point to repeat it all here.

Nostalgia reigns in " My Favorite Year", a charming and entertaining vignette on the Golden Age of TV (circa 1954), when TV shows were broadcast live throughout the country. Based on the notorius off-screen personality of the swashbuckler bon vivant actor, Errol Flynn, and Sid Caeser's 'Show of Shows', the film depicts one night in the life of Errol Flynn when he shows up drunk to appear on Sid Caeser's variety show. Peter O'Toole plays the flamboyant Flynn wonderfully, a mirror image of himself in his own youth, and, the rest of the cast is superb. Richard Benjamin in his first directoral debut, has produced a genuinely humane and brilliant comedy on the early days of TV. Don't miss this one.

Probably Peter O'Toole's best comedy work. this movie never fails to please anyone I have shown it to. Some very funny lines: Prop Lady to Peter in the Ladies Room: "Sir, this is for ladies!" Peter: "So is this, Ma'am, but every once in a while I have to run a little water through it."

Set in the early days of television, Young Benjamin Stone, junior writer for a live comedy show, voluteers to chaperone his hero, Allen Swan - a British movie star known for romantic pirate movies, who shows up drunk for his initial meeting with the show's staff. Allen ends up teaching Bengie how to romance the woman of his dream's, the shows assistant producer.

Great date movie or what to show when the parents/in-laws come over. Order some chinese and enjoy!

This movie is chock full of witty dialog fall down funny lines, and shenanigans. Great acting from Peter O'Toole and a very funny Lani Kazan. But it's really about Errol Flynn, Sid Cesar and and I'm told Woody Allen. Moves quickly. All around fun romp through early, live television. One of my top ten favorite films. You'll want to watch it more than once.

"My Favorite Year" is a joy for any fan of the early years of television. It is also a joy for any fan of comedies that offer the best of the necessary elements - the writing, the performances, the direction, the lighting, and the overall tone.
Speaking of the performances: every member of the cast plays the part to the top level, whether it's Peter O'Toole or Cameron Mitchell or Jessica Harper or Lou Jacobi. Richard Benjamin's direction is sharp and flawless.
This movie is wild, tender, funny, and as stated before, a joy.