And don't forget Robert Vaughn -- he received an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor and got his career jump-started (a year after playing the title character in Roger Corman's "Teenage Caveman"). Agree with all the posts about the gorgeous Alexis Smith, always underrated and always terrific...her last film until 1972!
Great music by Ernest Gold, direction by the late Vincent Sherman (1906-2006).
I wish WHV had released this as a single and not just as part of a seven-disc Newman set (not all the titles are gems). Perhaps, someday....
But watch the scene where Tony (Newman) is on the phone with his boss when Mrs. Allen (Billie Burke) comes to his office to have her will redrawn to take care of her dog Carlos. At first, when the dog climbs over to Newman, he gently but slightly irritably pushes it away while he's trying to get the information. But when his boss calls to tell him he's got a multi-millionairess opposite him, Newman suddenly picks up the dog, starts talking to it in "baby talk", and even kisses it, saying, "Oh, yes, him is so sweet, him is such a good doggie!" My favorite scene, and what a terrific bit of business by Paul, one of the great actors.
But I am always amused by the idea that everybody in this picture who stands in the way of Tony's future conveniently dies, gets sick, misspeaks, loses jobs, is crippled, you name it, it happens to them, all for the greater good of Anthony Lawrence's advancement -- while he gets through with nary a scratch! Just love it.
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mittzdad-1
16 years ago
I agree with everyone here; this has been one of my faves since I first found it in a Blockbuster in `85. A similar Newman flick from that era is "From the Terrace."
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jackboot
16 years ago
I wish WHV had released this as a single and not just as part of a seven-disc Newman set (not all the titles are gems). Perhaps, someday....
I just wanted to point out that on amazon some of the other sellers (new and used link) will sell this one DVD alone, saving you from having to buy the whole set. Don't laugh, but I bought the whole set and then lost this movie!!! (this movie was really the only reason I bought the set in the first place.) I was able to buy just the one copy of this movie. Then, later, when moving, I found the original one, fallen behind a bookcase! doh!!
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