I watched this movie some time ago and it was very good. Then, I realized the TV show Cheers had to be based upon this movie. Sam Malone replaced James Cagney's character. Both characters were basically the cool characters with a bunch of misfit customers. Boston replaced Cincinnati. In fact, I think I like the characters in this movie more than in the show Cheers.
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Excellent observation. Cheers was also based in a large part on the film Choose Me Starring Keith Carridine and Leslie Ann Warren
shareCheers preceded Choose Me by a few years, but thanks for playing.
On a related note, Shelley Long's character Diane Chambers appeared on an episode of "Frasier," with a play that she wrote about life at an extremely Cheers-like bar. In the episode, Diane concedes that her play was influenced by the work of William Saroyan, who wrote The Time of Your Life.
Or . . . maybe . . . Duffy's Tavern.
shareThis movie is based on any random tavern in any town for its time. This could be Vesuvio in SF or Old Town Ale House in Chicago or Pete's in NYC.
shareWhen Cheers debuted a number of critics (who were favorably impressed with the show) noted the heavy influence of Saroyan's TOYL. As it happened I was in high school and had landed the role of Tom in our stage production. Our director had little time for TV and was unaware of the series.
My big scene alone with Kitty Duval in her apartment was dropped, sadly, censorship from the school's principal who found it inappropriate. We didn't smoke those cigars, either (kinda relieved about that one).
I had my first bottle of champagne, too. Liked it. Did a pen and ink drawing for a poster of the bottle on a table with two glasses, the reason I bought it in the first place. For the title I copied the font used for Cheers. Unfortunately the art department had already been asked to do the poster, so mine wasn't used.
I've never seen this movie yet, as I type this it's being DVR'ed off TMC for later viewing. Interested in seeing how it holds up and what I can recall of the play. Was anything altered from stage to film? I was absolutely enchanted with both Cheers and The Time of Your Life. Someday I've gotta get that script again.