Peter O'Toole clearly makes this movie work, playing Alan Swann, a washed up, alcoholic, swashbuckling type movie star (in the mode of Errol Flynn) who has one last chance at glory when he's invited to be a guest star on the TV show "Comedy Cavalcade" starring "King Kaiser" (Joseph Bologna) - clearly a take off on Sid Caesar's "Show of Shows."
Set in 1954, described as "my favorite year" by Benjy (Mark Linn-Baker) - who is given the job of keeping Swann sober and making sure he shows up for the show, the movie provides an interesting look at the era of live television, where any mistakes would be instantly seen by the viewers (no retakes here.) Consistently humourous rather than outrageously hilarious, the movie also benefits from a solid supporting cast, featuring the likes of Bill Macy and Selma Diamond among others.
6/10
Set in 1954, described as "my favorite year" by Benjy (Mark Linn-Baker) - who is given the job of keeping Swann sober and making sure he shows up for the show, the movie provides an interesting look at the era of live television, where any mistakes would be instantly seen by the viewers (no retakes here.) Consistently humourous rather than outrageously hilarious, the movie also benefits from a solid supporting cast, featuring the likes of Bill Macy and Selma Diamond among others.
6/10