The Wrong Oscar? - The Sunshine Boys (1976) Discussion

[–] ajlposh 18 years ago

No. George bunrs totally deserved this.

Johnny Carson 1925-2005. We will never forget you.

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I believe that both Walter Mathau and George Burns both deserved Oscars for this movie. They were both great actors! They really outdid themeselves for this movie as portraying the roles of 2 aging, feuding Vaudeville Partners named Willy Clark and Al Lewis. The Sunshine Boys is A True Comedy Classic! May both actors Walter Mathanu and George Burns always rest in peace in heaven. "Enter! The finger!? You're starting with the finger again! Next time you give me the finger, say goodbye to the finger!" Comedy Legend Neil Simon did an awesome job writing this movie based on his broadway play! And Director Herbert Ross did a teriffic job on this film- May he always rest in peace in heaven.And Producer Ray Stark, who also did Annie did a wonderful job producing this movie- May he always rest in peace in heaven. And actor/Director Richard Benjamin did an awesome job as Ben Clark, Willy's Agent/Nephew."Don't push it Willy, slide it! Don't force it!" I can watch this film a million times and still always laugh my sides out! "Frumpies! " Willy Clark: "If it was funny, I would say it!" Willy: "I'm locked in! Go downstairs and Get the Spanish kid! Tell him in Spanish! They'll get somebody!" Ben: "I get chest pains on Wednesdays!" Willy: "So, come on Tuesdays!"

Greg Casiglia

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[–] bon22 10 years ago

I agree floridianitalian. Mathau and Burns both deserved Oscars. They depicted personality types of days gone by. Masterful performances.

So many great one liners:
Willy Clark: "nobody goes to NJ unless they have to; I'm still upset that they finished the George Washington Bridge".

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[–] csu16387 18 years ago

Matthau was up against some tough competition in '75. Nicholson in 'Cuckoo's Nest' and Pacino and Dog Day Afternoon were excellent. Matthau's performance in The Sunshine Boys may be my favorite performance of his (that rehearsal sequence with George Burns is a riot). In a different year, he might have won. His performance is that great.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

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[–] stryder9898 18 years ago

I agree George Burn shouldn't have got the Oscar. It should have gone to the nurse with the big cans, Lee Meredith.

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[–] arnomation 18 years ago

For me this was definitely Matthau's finest hour and was much funnier than Burns. I believe they gave Burns the Oscar because out of respect for his entire career not this performance.

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[–] karmacoupe 17 years ago

i agree Matthau was over-the-top great -- a mitigating factor here is that Matthau had already won an oscar a few year's earlier for Fortune's Cookie, and this was Burn's first (and ultimately only nomination) -- so they each ended their careers as "Oscar winners".

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[–] starry-messenger 12 years ago

Lee Meredith deservers the films only Oscar for special effects.

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[–] jztzt 12 years ago

I think Burns deserved the Oscar more than Matthau. Matthau was way over the top in his performance and reprising his grumpy old man performance. I know that`s the idea but Matthau tried too hard. I didn`t buy him completely as the old man. It was sort of a one note performance. By comparison, Burns`s restraint and quietness convinced me of his character`s age, wiseness, experience, and professionalism. His portrayal of the old man was more anchored in reality.

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[–] mathknapp 12 years ago

Matthau was certainly Burns' equal ... but they were in different categories. Burns won the supporting award, as the 3rd most important character in this movie. Matthau was the lead, which bumped him up into a category that included Jack Nicholson, whom he was not better than.

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[–] IMDB_Vits 10 years ago

the 3rd most important character in this movie.

Don't you mean 2nd?

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[–] 10 years ago

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