I read it somewhere that the film was inspired by the relationship of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in the late 50´s. In fact, references of Teleton and the Mob fellow can be linked to Lewis and Martin. But there were any killing in their story?
shareSerious question? Its even written on the DVD cover.
sharebut not in the brazillian cover.
shareWhat are you talking about? Not on mine.
Blaine in Seattle
Well, some of us have watched it somewhere other than DVD and therefor haven't seen the cover. Imagine that, someone went about something differently then yourself!
shareWhen I was looking at the movie all I could think of was Rowen and Martin. Because Firth looked just like Dean Rowen and he is dead and Bacon looked like Dick Martin a little and he is alive. Also I remember the Rowen and Martin's Laugh in was called the Dean Martin summer show when it first came out. So in the end I think it was a mixture of a few comic duo's Rowen and martin and Lewis and Martin and probably some Canadian duo most American never heard about since the director is Canadian. I cannot see this just being about Lewis and Martin simply because there was not even a hint about the Rat Pack or making movies
shareCanadian duo? Well, I guess that would be the long running Wayne and Shuster show on CBC TV here in Canada. They starred Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster and the show went on into the 1980's. Any Canadian over 30 would have heard of them. Check them out here . . . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_and_Shuster
BTW, they never moved to the states, despite many good offers, but helped influence another Canadian, Lorne Michael's, who then moved to the states, and went on to start Saturday Night Live on NBC.
I had the same question myself. Very similar in some ways. But I have never heard of the two linked to any murder.
Blaine in Seattle
I immediately thought of Martin and Lewis-Couldn't see Martin mounting Lewis....but who knows????
shareMy thoughts exactly after just seeing it (Aug 2016). The reason I sought to read some chatter on it was to see if anyone else got that resemblance to Lewis & Martin duo.
Although sexually graphic (meaning, not for the faint of heart), I agree with one comment that it wasn't gratuitous and played superbly into the story line. Wouldn't have seen Bacon in this role UNTIL I saw it--he was phenomenal. I totally got the idea, though, that this was loosely based on Lewis & Martin. Too many things were coincidental, and as Gibbs would say, "There are no coincidences."
Loved all the actors, every single one of them, and would recommend this movie (albeit a bit old now) but a worthwhile see.
I immediately recognized the Martin/Lewis connection, but I think the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon was only Jerry... I've been wrong before...
I enjoyed the movie, but it really reflected "Lanny" and "Vince" to be real creeps. I would not be happy if I were friends/relatives of Jerry and Dean... I don't think I've ever heard a bad word about Dean Martin. Jerry was supposedly a real jerk. Dean died in 1995, Jerry was alive when this film came out in 2005.