MovieChat Forums > Good Morning, Vietnam (1988) Discussion > The real Adrian Cronauer...

The real Adrian Cronauer...

posted 18 years ago by goodbyecruelworld
6 replies | jump to latest

I'm lucky enough to be friends with the real Adrian Cronauer, and, although it's a breach of friendship and he'd hate me to say it, he isn't funny at all. In fact, his attempts at 'comedy' upset me and his efforts at foreign and impressionist accents are humiliating to him and his family, to say the least. For me, it was interesting to see melodramatist Robin Williams in the role and although he brought a touch of humour to the script, which on paper is a lot funnier, I would have liked to see an established comedian in the role. Adrian himself often suggests that someone like Kevin Whateley or John Thaw would have been more suitable, not just for their resemblance but for their excellent timing. Imagine, 'there ain't gonna be no chuffing NAPALM in my caravan, Mandy! and when we get home to Mexico, I'LL be fixing the trousers!'. Brilliant!

'Happiness is telling a truth that hurts no-one.'

[–] Jacobcracker 18 years ago

What movies has Kevin Whateley appeared in? Wasn't he in From Dusk til Dawn or have I got the wrong guy? I met him once at the Hilton in London's Park Lane. We actually argued about who had actually hailed a taxi.....it was hysterical!

[–] goodbyecruelworld 18 years ago

Kevin Whateley, best known for his portrayal of Cliff Richard in the straight-to-video biopic of the hirsute star's life 'Moonshine and Shoeshine', has appeared in a range of both USA and European pictures. He even had a 5 year stint in the Hungarian teatime soap 'Bokk'. He's even on this site, why don't you look for yourself? Your ignorance and bone idleness annoys me.

'Happiness is telling a truth that hurts no-one.'

[–] Jacobcracker 18 years ago

I don't think I'm ignorant nor bone idle actually and I take offence to what you just said. Whateley is hardly a household name neither in the UK nor in the United States. And you must remember that nobody in the USA has ever heard of Cliff Richard anyway!

[–] goodbyecruelworld 18 years ago

Hey buddy! You're just jealous! Everyone knows Cliff Richard in the US of A, he hosted Blankety Blank on FOX for nigh on 23 years! Know your facts before you accuse me of plagiarism in the future! Geez!

'Happiness is telling a truth that hurts no-one.'

[–] MrTroy 18 years ago

Funny to see you talking about getting facts right.

First, you say Adrian Cronauer isn't funny. Then you say you would've liked a more humourous person in Robin Williams' role. Why? If you want an accurate representation of the actual Cronauer, why find someone who is funnier?

Next you come up with John Thaw and Kevin Whately. They aren't "established comedians", they are (were) actors in British drama, for crying out loud! Or do you have a Steven Hauk-kind of humor and you actually thought Inspector Morse was a comedy series?

For the record, I DO think Robin Williams was perfect for the role, like millions of other people also think. I reckon you wouldn't have much zealots if you would say you'd rather have one of the 2 Morse actors in Williams' role.

[–] vismajorx 15 years ago

Well you're not much of a friend to feel you have to say something that he himself easily admits to..

http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_real_life_adrian/

..and ACTUALLY WAS WONDERING MYSELF "If he was so funny, then why didn't he have a career after the war?" and it took me less than 2 minutes to find that article which ... pretty much makes your origional post a reason that AC should do a quick check up on who's been 'hanging on' (like yourself) and who has really been a friend to him lately.

FACT: They cared so little about the actual REAL LIFE history of AC that RW was constantly improving anachronisms not to mention the ones in the film itself that show up now and then.

Well.. just read that article. He never claimed to be as funny as AC and you do him a serious disservice, shame on you.

-VMX