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WOW...A note on Tony Randall

posted 16 years ago by dain_bramaged_926
6 replies | jump to latest

Is it just me, or was he completely awful in this movie? He just sort of stumbled through it, sinking all his jokes like lead weights. I thought he was painful to watch. They really should have given Joan Blondell and Jayne Mansfield more screen time because they were wonderful together.

A good comedic actor would have taken this role and run with it, infusing the movie with hilarious moments. Randall just stood there like a mannequin. Numerous times throughout the movie, when he came onscreen, I found myself asking who he was, because I couldn't recognise him from scene to scene. He did not do anything to stand out.

This is all just my own opinion, by the way. I just wanted to know if there was anyone out there who agreed with me?

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[–] puirt-a-beul 16 years ago

Yep, now that you raise it, I can't disagree.

There were some roles where he worked magic on at least some levels, but so often ... I dunno, I've got nothing against the guy, but most of the time his performances were basically functional and that's about all.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[–] hilljayne 16 years ago

I thought he was great. He was supposed to be the straight guy around a cast of goofy characters. If anything I've always felt Betsy Drake's performance left a lot to be desired (except when she's lipsynching to Jayne's squeals).

Professional Jayne Mansfield fanatic/lover™ since 1980.

[–] gribfritz2 13 years ago

When I read the OP's comment of "he didn't do anything to stand out," that's exactly what I thought. He was the straight man, the normal person, the grounded person. Randall did a good job by NOT standing out.

[–] lubin-freddy 13 years ago

The right actor, and exactly the right performance, for a Frank Tashlin movie.

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[–] thbryn 11 years ago

He was always pretty much like this in these 50's big budget comedies.

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[–] princesstinymeat 11 years ago

It's just you (or nearly so). He's hysterical and adorable.