MovieChat Forums > 11 Harrowhouse (1974) Discussion > Charles Grodin's narration

Charles Grodin's narration

posted 18 years ago by tricksofthetrade
4 replies | jump to latest

Was very unique....Deadpan times 10. His narrative style is almost as if he really does not want to be in the movie, or anywhere for that matter. At one point in a car chase he exclaims "take that..." when he rams a car. It was so dry/deadpan and emotionless that I had to laugh.

Another thing that I liked about the narration, is that the writing assumes that audience actually HAS a brain!

Grodin's narration sets the whole tone for the film, and it is completly sucessful at zaping all the exceitment and tension of the movie, making it almost a farse.

I have seen several movies with narration, but none that effected the film as much as Grodin's deadpan style.

"This picture of Al Dutcher bothers me."

[–] oscarunger 12 years ago

i think they decided to put in grodins narration late in the game cause the movie was even more lifeless without it (i think i read this in grodins book but i might be wrong) i agree it sets a weird tone, almost like hes talking to himself, wait...am i responding to a 6 year old post? oh well (-: this movie doesnt get a lot of attention but its a sleeper

[–] Hey_Sweden 11 years ago

I thought his deadpan narration was quite amusing.

What do you think this is, a signature? It's a way of life!

[–] james-664 9 years ago

It's strange as I have seen a version without the narration which leads me to think there may have been a release of 2 versions. It may be that the narrated version was released soon after the first. It is very deadpan and does add to what would be a fairly lacklustre crime caper

[–] 9 years ago

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