A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum isn’t your average musical. For most people, it’s a like-it-or-hate-it; I’ve never met anyone who said this was their favorite show. It’s a gigantic tongue-in-cheek comedy of errors set in ancient Roman times. History sticklers will cringe every time modern ’60s jargon is inserted into the dialogue or song lyrics, so if you didn’t like A Knight’s Tale, you should stay away from this one. For example, one of the most beloved songs from Stephen Sondheim’s creation is “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,” during which the male characters make sexual innuendos about housecleaning, something that would never be sung twenty years earlier, let alone centuries earlier.
If you do like this type of humor, or you’ve enjoyed seeing this show onstage, you’ll probably like this movie. Zero Mostel reprises his leading role on Broadway as a Roman slave who tries to earn his freedom by playing matchmaker with Michael Crawford and Annette Andre, all while trying not to get caught, since Annette is promised to another. With lots of silly one-liners, near-misses in the situational comedy, and upbeat, toe-tapping songs, audiences who aren’t picky about musical theater will probably really enjoy this one. I’ve seen it a couple of times on the stage, and it’s nice to see how the movie enhances the sets and outdoor space. The opening sequence is very fun, and the chariot chase is obviously only found in the film – plus, Michael Crawford did all of his own stunts! On a sentimental note, it’s bittersweet to see Buster Keaton employ his great Stone Face one last time. This film was released posthumously, which was why he gets a special salute during the end credits.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Clipper Davinci" for posting!
More Buster Keaton movies here!
If you do like this type of humor, or you’ve enjoyed seeing this show onstage, you’ll probably like this movie. Zero Mostel reprises his leading role on Broadway as a Roman slave who tries to earn his freedom by playing matchmaker with Michael Crawford and Annette Andre, all while trying not to get caught, since Annette is promised to another. With lots of silly one-liners, near-misses in the situational comedy, and upbeat, toe-tapping songs, audiences who aren’t picky about musical theater will probably really enjoy this one. I’ve seen it a couple of times on the stage, and it’s nice to see how the movie enhances the sets and outdoor space. The opening sequence is very fun, and the chariot chase is obviously only found in the film – plus, Michael Crawford did all of his own stunts! On a sentimental note, it’s bittersweet to see Buster Keaton employ his great Stone Face one last time. This film was released posthumously, which was why he gets a special salute during the end credits.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Clipper Davinci" for posting!
More Buster Keaton movies here!