Boeing-Boeing film version to be shown on TCM May 18

[monestere]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 5:49am

For those who might be interested, the 1965 film version of "Boeing-Boeing" is being shown on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) on May 18 at 4:00 P.M.(EST). It is worth checking out, especially for comparison to the current Broadway revival. The film was produced by Hal Wallis, who also produced the first Broadway production of "Boeing-Boeing" in Feb. 1965, which ran for only 23 performances. The film version, released in December of that year, was much more successful and stars Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Thelma Ritter, Dany Saval, Christiane Schmidtmer & Suzanna Leigh.
The film is adapted from the same English translation by Beverly Cross of Marc Camoletti's French language original on which the current Broadway production is based. The screenplay is by 2 time Oscar winner, Edward Anhalt (Becket).
Tony Curtis gives a brilliant comedy performance as Bernard (his facial reactions alone are worth the price of admission) in the film and Jerry Lewis is surprisingly restrained and right on the mark as his friend Robert. But the real highlight of the movie is a standout hilarious performance by Thelma Ritter as Bertha the maid. She simply steals the film and makes this movie a must-see even if you have not seen the current Broadway revival.

Updated On: 5/10/08 at 05:49 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 7:38am

It's on every now and then, and I think it's been on TCM ON DEMAND for the past month or so.

Totally misses the spirit of farce, IMO.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 8:37am

Maybe so, but worth it for Thelma Ritter's impossibly dry performance.