After being queued up for months on Netflix, I tried the new "watch immediately" feature which - even tho there is no dvd - was able to show me the movie. It was great. I'd not seen it in 25 years, and yet I was still able to recite the lines. Truly one of the best movies/plays ever. Campers! You can see this one on the internet!
I liked it, but didn't love it. It's simply too talky and slow. Saks' character is out-and-out TORTURE to watch. One can see why Robards' character didn't want to work again this idiot. But the relationship between Robards and Gordon was touching and winning and I LOVE the New York scenes and the black-and-white photogrpahy. And Barbara Harris was really so special.
On balance, one of those films I enjoyed watching but I'd never be interested in sitting through it again.
I realize that everyone can't think alike, and we're all given to seeing things through our own eyes (life experiences), but I'm astonished when I see (read) that someone could not be interested in seeing this a second time.
I'm not faulting you, or anyone....
....but I've seen this film uncountable times. I saw the play on B'way in 1962 and I saw this film when it came out. I've seen it innumerable times since then, and, like you, I watched it on TCM the other day.
I set my TIVO to record the film from TCM, and since it was on a few days ago, I've watched it about 6 more times. It's not just the story, not just the acting, not just the wonderful street scenes of 1960's Manhattan-- it's a great work of art. Even if slightly different from the stage play (and the differences are slight, I assure you), I simply can't get enough of "A Thousand Clowns."
I couldn't agree with you more. I have it on VHS and recorded it on TCM since it was widescreen. I watch it at least once per year. I just hope it comes out on DVD one day with some commentary -- after all, Barbara Harris and Barry Gordon and others are still alive and it would be great to hear from them about the film.
"After being queued up for months on Netflix, I tried the new "watch immediately" feature which - even tho there is no dvd - was able to show me the movie."
I guess Netflix must have removed it from their On Demand list... That makes me rather depressed, as I was looking forward to seeing it again. I don't have cable, so I can't watch on TCM. I guess I will have to buy a VHS copy. **sigh**