Ready to Take a Chance Again From Foul Play
"The Girl Who Knew Too Much"
Goldie Hawn gives a delicious comic performance every bit a San Francisco librarian who'south been living like a hermit, encouraged past a friend to go out there and milk shake her pom-poms; instead, she becomes indirectly involved with a pack of nefarious criminals who plan to assassinate the Pope (!) on his visit to the Opera Firm. The picture has some real ringers (Dudley Moore and his apartment full of sex toys, 2 little old ladies playing Muddied Scrabble), only Hawn is very appealing, specially while sitting in a pic theater with her blackness-rimmed spectacles watching a flick-noir near a detective and a Chinese sailor. Chevy Chase, in his debut as a leading man following his departure from "Saturday Night Live", plays the lovestruck cop on the instance and he'due south very green; some of his lines fall apartment (specially a tasteless flake about a regime official wearing brand-upwards), however his love scenes with Goldie are depression-keyed and sweet. The bungled automobile-chase finale is a complete waste, all the same the moving-picture show is buoyed by a terrific supporting bandage, including funny Billy Barty, handsome Brian Dennehy (who gets lost in the action), scene-stealing Burgess Meredith and kinky, salacious Rachel Roberts (as "Delia Darrow"). A fitfully fun time. *** from ****
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A comedy thriller that comes out a winner
Cute looking Hawn gets mixed up in a large conspiracy and detective Hunt is assigned to the example.
This Hitchcockian comedy thriller is a truly wonderful footling moving picture. It'southward cleverly written, expertly acted past the entire ensemble, suspenseful and outrageously funny when it wants to be. This happens to be one of the few movies that can successfully residuum comedy and suspense and come out a winner.
The plot isn't easily spotted and quondam Hitchcock's influence are credible, but the film feels completely original. Hawn is just wonderful here, Chase in his all-time ever role but Dudley Moore steals the show equally a...well, likable debauchee. The Bee Gees song Stayin' Alive will probably best be remembered here, rather than in Saturday Night Fever. Yous'll know when you see it.
Highly recommended.
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An entertaining espionage thriller - clever and funny
Chevy Chase is not a smashing comedian, at least not anymore, but at ane point in his career he WAS funny. He had talent. This film proves information technology. Although most of u.s. today retrieve him fondly as the dad from the "Vacation" movies, he plays a different type of character hither, and it is constructive. He's even so humorous (I've never seen him play a 100% serious dramatic part) but less stupid than usual, and his graphic symbol - a police force officeholder - calls for a more than realistic attitude.
He'due south assigned to help Goldie Hawn's character in the motion-picture show, who is existence pursued by an albino and the Catholic church afterward a microchip is given to her past a dying homo on the street. After a failed assassination effort, she calls the police, just only Chase believes her.
Hawn lives in an apartment building maintained by the late Burgess Meredith. This was two years later on the success of "Rocky" and Meredith was making a name for himself with the younger crowds. The film, every bit a result, lends him a solid function that he fulfills.
The film isn't an uproarious comedy but it is very entertaining and occasionally quite funny. Best viewed late at night on the weekend.
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Lots of fun
Likable comedy murder mystery. Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) gets involved with an assassination attempt. Cop Chevy Chase is hired to protect her. There's more to the plot but that's the nuts.
This is a beautiful film--shot on location in San Francisco. The stars are likable; the script is interesting, if all lilliputian likewise disruptive and there are many funny--and suspenseful--moments throughout. I saw this dorsum in 1978 and loved it and it still holds up beautifully. A lot of people says this plagiarizes Hitchcock. It does a picayune but it's then entertaining it doesn't really thing.
Hunt is good in his starting time picture later leaving "Saturday Night Live" and Hawn is merely delightful. At that place's likewise strong back up from Burgess Meredith, Brian Dennehy and Dudley Moore. Likewise there are some beautiful shots of San Francisco all through the movie. And it starts off bully with the Barry Manilow vocal "Set To Take A Gamble Again". Simply basically a swell big fun commercial film. Well worth catching. I'm only giving it a 9 because information technology IS a lilliputian too long.
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Chevy-Hawn magic
I saw this motion-picture show when I was 9 years old. And I loved it. From the opening shot of Goldie Hawn'south VW problems driving forth to Barry Manilow'south "Ready to Take a Chance Again" to the Pope tapping his foot to "Three Little Maids From Schoolhouse Are We," this movie is pure entertainment. What makes it and so funny is it seems an exercise in lateral thinking. A snake that eats cigarettes? An albino hitting man? Baton Barty? I love the music in this film and watching Dudley Moore sing "I feel the earth move under my feet" ... while he tries to seduce Hawn, who was the very model of wholesome cuteness in the '70s and '80s. Her pairing with Chase gave us some of the funniest shows of the era. (I also savour "Seems Like Erstwhile Times.") The but downside to this film - if you encounter it when you're an impressionable child, you'll always be wondering if someone will stab you lot through the theater seat. Argh!
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Goldie shines in clever comedy thriller...
GOLDIE HAWN is at her broad-eyed prettiest in this enjoyable one-act-thriller, a romp that has her trying to avert one dangerous situation after another when she finds out that she's being stalked by killers anxious to get their hands on a roll of film she has. Her efforts atomic number 82 to unraveling an assassination plot on the Pope! CHEVY Chase is her detective boyfriend who gets caught up in the intricate plot, which leads somewhen to a mad automobile chase through the streets of San Francisco. BURGESS MEREDITH is her friendly neighbor with a penchant for pet snakes with some funny scenes likewise.
There are some really activity-filled moments along the manner but virtually of the suspense derives from wondering how Goldie will survive the various attempts on her life.
DUDLEY MOORE is memorable in a express joy-filled seduction scene where he misinterprets what Goldie is proverb as she peers through the defunction of his apartment window. His endeavor to seduce her in an apartment filled with sex activity devices is one of the picture's funniest moments.
The scary parts are fun too, specially when she's beingness menaced by a sinister looking albino and a midget--dispatching both when the need arises. She plays the part with a vigorous wide-eyed disposition that really belies her role as a shy librarian encouraged to get out and run into people...simply it's all so funny yous don't care about details afterward awhile. Just sit back and enjoy.
The San Fransico location shots add a lot of visual interest to the tale and it's all directed at a mad pace by Colin Higgins, winding up with some wild scenes in an opera business firm.
Strictly for laughs, it'south well worth viewing for Goldie's charming performance.
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Kojak, bang, bang!!
Alarm: Spoilers
I call back going to meet this moving picture in the theater.
Take always loved this pic.
Another practiced selling indicate to me with films is quotable lines. And, like this picture show when you lot accept more than i.
"Jungle Training." "Kojak, bang, blindside!!" "The punch of power!" "Far Out." Dudley Moore in the first of the iii notable film roles he ever did. Class, Best BY FAR WAS "ARTHUR".
The only opera scenes I have e'er liked on picture show. :) Sorry, I am a rock & roll person.
Just watched the picture show again this morning, never get tired of information technology.
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The laughs never finish, even as expressionless bodies prove upward from time to fourth dimension
Gloria (Goldie Hawn) is a divorced librarian who leads a placidity and empty existence. At a friend's wedding, she is urged to embrace life by taking a few chances. On the way home from the wedding, Gloria decides, therefore, to pick upwardly a hitchhiker who is immature and attractive and in desperate demand of her assist. Simply, what peril awaits her! The hitcher is an undercover policeman, running from a grouping of hit men. He gives Goldie a roll of film from his photographic camera and asks her to hold it for him. Alas, he does non live to repossess it. What'southward more, the criminals are hot on the trail, seeking to accept her out of the picture. Gloria seeks support from a nice police force detective (Chevy Chase) when she realizes there is someone stalking her. Will he aid rescue Gloria from certain disaster? This moving-picture show has it's scary moments but the laughs never stop. Hawn and Chase are marvelous as the main characters who may exist falling in love as the bodies are dropping around them. Dudley Moore does a marvelous turn as an innocent bystander, caught in the web of intrigue. Even though the movie was fabricated almost xxx years agone, information technology earns the right to be a perennial favorite. It's timeless quality never goes foul.
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I play Detective. Y'all play Lady In Distress.
Foul Play is written and directed by Colin Higgins. It stars Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts, Dudley Moore and Brian Dennehy. Music is by Charles Fox and cinematography past David M. Walsh.
San Francisco librarian Gloria Mundy (Hawn) inadvertently gets embroiled with mobsters who are out to assassinate The Pope. Hooking up with cheeky copper Tony Carlson (Chase), she hopes to stay alive long enough to find out why people are trying to kill her!
One-act thrillers are tough to get correct, you gotta make people laugh and also grip them with drama, thankfully Colin Higgins gets information technology right in this delightful belatedly 1970s production. He kind of plays safety by literally throwing many of the conventions of the genres into the mix, with weird villains, an odd couple (howdy romance), pratfalls, most misses, McGuffin, bonkers situations (both dicey and funny) and etc etc. Boosted by a damn fine bandage (Hawn and Hunt are fun, charming and sexy together, while the supports excel), some superb Frisco scenery and a toe tapping 70s soundtrack, it rounds out as a breezy attempt across the board. Where else you going to meet Burgess Meredith and Rachel Roberts in a martial arts smack down? vii/x
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A now archetype comedy that modern romantic comedies should analyze for what's funny and what'south not.
Alarm: Spoilers
"Kojak, Bang Bang!" "The albino works for the dwarf!" "She was one tough mama!"
With lines like that, you lot know you're non in the San Francisco of Jeanette MacDonald and Clark Gable anymore. This is "Tales of the City" era San Francisco when you may not accept worn a flower in your hair, simply you could savour some nifty people watching in Golden Gate Park or down most the Embarcadero, and try and stroll downward Lombard street without being hit by either Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal on a hot canis familiaris cart with a suitcase filled with rocks or Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase on their way to save a world leader from a terrorist organization.
The gorgeous Goldie every bit at her screwball comedy best, a modernistic day Carole Lombard who works as a librarian and goes home to accept dinner with her landlord and his pet ophidian, Esme, that is until the day constabulary officer Chevy Chase comes into her life. He'due south assigned to protect her when she inadvertently gets her easily on some microfilm from a homo she courageously picked upwards hitch-hiking. Having met at a party on the other side of the Golden Gate earlier (and non quite hitting it off), that all changes at present, and when Goldie is thrust into the center of a federal investigation, she finds herself in dangers she never imagined she could exist in.
During her adventure, Hawn runs into some of the oddest characters y'all would ever encounter: a horny orchestra conductor (Dudley Moore) with a gadget filled play-pen in his bachelor pad; the rough-and-tough "secretary" to the Bishop of San Francisco (Rachel Roberts); a sweetness bible selling little person (Billy Barty) whom she mistakes for the villain known equally the dwarf, and of course, the man with the scar and the albino, both unsafe hitting men on the mission of all missions. Burgess Meredith is hysterically funny as the landlord with the ophidian. At that place'southward also a very agreeable sequence with Goldie spying on two erstwhile ladies playing scrabble.
This is all concluded with one of the wackiest machine hunt sequences ever shot, along with "What'due south Up Doc?" and of class the more serious "Bullitt" utilizing as much of San Francisco's famous sights as it can. Then, there is the "Man Who Knew Too Much" spoof finale, i of the about bizarre productions of "The Mikado" ever staged with hysterical reactions by the cast and backstage personnel as the plot is wrapped upwards. Farce and screwball comedy really work when they surround a great plot, and "Foul Play" utilizes these elements very thoroughly. The archetype Barry Manilow song "Gear up to Accept a Chance Again" is unforgettably heard hither as Goldie drives dorsum from Marin County into the city, the mountains and the city within altitude. In that location'south no hazard to take here. One time you lot watch it, you volition want to come across information technology on a fairly regular footing over and over once more.
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A Young Looking Goldie
Viewed this film when it beginning came out and enjoyed the entire motion-picture show. However, viewing this picture in 2005, I enjoyed this film will a great deal more appreciation of the great talents of Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn and supporting erstwhile veteran actor, Burgess Meredith. Goldie Hawn,(Gloria Mundy),"Protocol",'84 had a big problem with a pack of smokes that was put in her purse by a murdered man and the entire plot revolves effectually Gloria trying become some assist from the local police section. Chevy Chase,(Tony Carlson),"Bad Meat",'03, is a detective who finally decides to help Gloria with her problem and seems to be getting romantically involved. Gloria works at a library and is beginning to fall into the Old Maid type of character, nonetheless, she would like to see her Knight in Shinning Armor! Burgess Meredith, (Mr. Hennessey),"State of Grace",'90, is Gloria'due south landlord and sort of takes a deeply fatherly interest in Gloria and gives an outstanding supporting role. This movie is very entertaining, with drama and lots of comedy.
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"Beware of the dwarf".
Gee… they don't make comedy / thrillers similar this anymore. Information technology kind of reminded me of John Landis more then crazy nocturnal one-act / thriller 'Into the Night' (1985). 'Foul Play' is a quirky, offbeat charmer with a Hitchcock vibe (or a tribute you could say) and 2 stars (a perky, fresh face Goldie Hawn and smoothly brash Chevy Chase) that shared an outstanding rapport whenever on screen. Who once more would team up 2 years afterwards in the pleasant comedy "Seems similar Quondam Times"… which now I call back is even better.
Hawn plays a tainted librarian who gets caught in an assassination plot and chased past hush-hush figures, which no 1 believes her at first. Well that's until parts of her story come together, and Chase a detective assigns himself to protect her.
Nonetheless billowy off those two stars, were plenty of humorously wonderful supporting roles. Nothing would beat the comical turn of Dudley Moore's recurring grapheme, where he seemed to exist caught of guard in some embarrassing positions by the lovable Hawn. There are skilful impressionable parts by Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts, Eugene Roche, Brian Dennehy, Marc Lawrence, Don Calfa, Billy Barty and William Frankfather equally the quiet, just deadly giant assassinator Whitey Jackson - The Albino.
Director/writer Colin Higgins zesty kick is brilliant (but expect at the wonderful location work of an eye-catching San Francisco and openly flowing photography) and sharply tailored to the chase plot with its screwy occurrences, but smart groundwork. The characters (who practise come and go) don't literally become-out of the mode to invent a gag, but being apart of them as they unfold from the many odd situations of mistaken thoughts and identities. There's a complete batch of them laced with a dangerously murderous impulse. The cruising soundtrack can get the heart going with it racy charges and gleeful spruce in adding to the breezy story. While information technology's long-winded, it doesn't feel it.
Nostalgically enjoyable commotion.
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Fun for everyone!
This is hilarious when I beginning saw information technology! You got some fine actors to brand this movie. Goldie Hawn fresh out of "Laugh-In" and "Saturday Dark Alive" groovy Chevy Chase. Who could forget those impuissant scenes he e'er make. I liked the office where he called warm milk "albino martini" whatever he called it its cool with me. This comedy spoofs all of Hitchcock's finest works rolled upwards into one fine movie comedy I've ever seen. The scenery of California oasis't been better from a bird'due south eye view. And the scene of San Francisco is great as well. The i thing that actually cracks me up is the fight scene between Delia/Gerda(Rachel Roberts) and Mr. Hennessey(Burgess Meredith) was a complete riot. Compare with the scene from "The Return of The Pink Panther", this one is the absolute silliest 1 of all. Gerda kicks off her heels and Hennessey was ready to rumble. The found strike to the groin didn't hinder him, and Gerda misses the chop. He gets the reward and "infant grands" her large time. That scene was extremely corny! The hunt scene is memorable. I liked the function where the bad guys' Town Car crashes in the Italian restaurant. Everything else, is golden. This movie is excellent, it'south marvelous, it's a precious gem in the collection archives. Enjoy while you can, Yous WON'T Exist SORRY! 5 STARS!
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goldie's gem
No uncertainty in my mind that this is Goldie Hawn'south best film. She does the dumb blonde matter brilliantly hither and she has never looked improve. The whole cast is skilful, although information technology is definitely very 70s in advent, which is ever a drawback!This is both funny and quite exciting. Very lighthearted and Hitchcockian, it moves forth at a fast pace, and is always entertaining. The scenes with Dudley Moore and Goldie are absolutely bright and the villains are like those of Bond movies but adapted for screwball comedies. I don't quite know why I similar this movie and so much. Perhaps information technology's considering it's not available on DVD, and things ever seem improve when you tin can't have them. For any fans of Goldie out there, this is definitely the film to run into, and, if information technology were available, to ain. Tin can someone please release this on DVD?! For all aspiring dumb blondes, just watch Goldie's gem of a performance. And did I mention that she has never looked better....nor, possibly, has anyone else...ever.
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An Overlooked Jewel of a Comedy
If the Marx Brothers had directed a noir criminal offense thriller, the results might await something like "Foul Play." This solid little comedy is criminally disregarded, in my opinion. Goldie Hawn plays a spinster librarian (aye, right) living in San Francisco who unwittingly gets wrapped up in a sinister plot to assassinate the pope at a functioning of "The Mikado." The various nefarious villains involved take turns kidnapping her for data she has or effort to bump her off to keep her quiet. Chevy Hunt plays the law detective assigned to protect her and fall in love with her. Meanwhile, a marvelous aggregation of supporting players add comic flair to the moving-picture show, notably Burgess Meredith as Hawn's landlord; Rachel Roberts as a sinister and manly fellow member of the assassination team (her rambunctious judo fight with Meredith is i of the movie'southward highlights); Dudley Moore as a dorky swinger with a penchant for leopard impress and blowup dolls; and the diminutive Billy Barty as a Bible salesman who winds upwardly in traction.
The plot borrows heavily from Hitchcock's "The Homo Who Knew Too Much," complete with a climactic race to the opera to prevent the killing from taking place, though this race includes a couple of Japanese tourists who are clearly having a ball. San Francisco provides great atmospherics, and the two leads are piece of cake and charming in their roles. I appreciated the fact that Hawn's dingbat blonde also happens to be a smart cookie who knows how to take care of herself, and that Chase was not asked to play the detective equally the bumbling doofus that would define his screen persona in later films.
Colin Higgins, who wrote the screenplay for "Harold and Maude," directs, which might explicate why this flick is a notch above others of its blazon.
Grade: A-
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"Foul Play" was all Fair Play
Murder attempts, assassination plots, conspiracies, and kidnappings. That is what makes Foul Play a great motion picture. Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn are great together every bit the stars of this comedy/thriller. In this film, Goldie picks up a hitch-hiker, who unbeknownest to her, has a secret. The pope is coming to boondocks. And some people in the Catholic community want this visit to exist memorable. Also starring Burgess Meredith, and Brian Dennehy as supporting characters. But the story was carried very well by Chase and Hawn alone. A much better storyline than their future film together,"Seems Like Old Times,but was skillful just the same. It was a great movie, and that is why I gave information technology x out of 10 stars.
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*****I simply adore this picture show, and never tire of revisiting it!*****
I've lost track of how many times I've seen this precious stone.. but at least ii or iii.. er, well, okay, iv or 5 times every twelvemonth!
Now, my 10 Stars bated, if you lot're looking for an intellectually stimulating, sprawling epic, enriching to listen, body and soul, forget it!
...Ahh, only if you're looking for an endlessly entertaining, fun movie with a terrific bandage throughout, and phenomenally choreographed hijinks, scene later on scene.. a movie that's a kaleidescope of cinematic deliciousness from ane end of the comedic spectrum to the other!--Everything from slapstick spoofs on classic gangster films, with a bit of suspense; some high-karate; an unbeatable car-chase scene, to a picayune old-fashioned romance; some actually factual tidbits thrown in! And my-oh-my, would you believe, even some archetype opera to boot!--THEN HEY! THIS Flick is for YOU!!
It'south a screeeam!! Non to mention some of the all-time work Chevy Hunt and Goldie Hawn have ever done, together OR separately! In addition, if you're a Bee Gee's and/or Barry Manilow fan, well, hurry upwardly and Rent information technology! BUY it!! SEE Information technology!!!
Information technology has two of the sweetest, almost perfectly done kissing scenes of any movie, romantic or otherwise, I've always seen before or since. NO slimy "suck-face up" grossness Hither! And so tasteful, so romantic, so rare~ The chemistry between these two is so magical~ Right up in that location with Bogie and Bacall! you could simply attain out and TOUCH it.. Sheer MAGIC!
In that location are countless class-acts here. I beloved Marilyn Sokol in ANYthing she does.. Dudley Moore.. such comic genius, Billy Barty, Burgess Meredith! The two little ol' ladies, {not certain of their names}, playing Scra.. well, you'll come across! Hilarious!! Everybody is just SUPER! The whole thing is simply so well orchestrated!
I've loved nearly everything Chevy and Goldie, {who needs their terminal names?}, have done, {with the exception of "..Vegas Vacation", and the updated "The Out-of-Towners"..eeeshh!} ..But this, this priceless jewel of wonderful silliness takes the cake!
Years from now, when all are watching the 'classic' "Titanic" of the '90'due south, I'll be in my easy chair crankin' upward the old video machine, watching MY classic "Foul Play", relishing every millionth-time-watched moment!:)
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Hilarious one-act/drama
Goldie Hawn is a immature woman who may become a victim of "Foul Play" in this 1978 film also starring Chevy Hunt, Dudley Moore, Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts, Brian Dennehy, Billy Barty and Marilyn Sokol. Hawn plays Gloria Mundy, a young (very young) divorcée who picks up a hitchhiker (Bruce Solomon) and makes a picture date with him. Since he's trying to cut down on smoking - he says - he gives her his pack of Marlboro cigarettes to hold. Actually, the pack contains data virtually an assassination plot. When he shows up at the movies, he bleeds all over Gloria's popcorn and dies with the words "Beware of the dwarf." She finds herself running for her life every bit various people try to kill her. This leads to one of the funniest scenes in the movie, when Gloria, on the run, dashes into a bar, sits at the table of a man (Dudley Moore) and asks him to accept her habitation. He's thrilled. In one case there, while she'due south looking out the window for the albino man chasing her, the Moore character strips to a Sabbatum Dark Fever song under disco lights and unveils blow-up sex dolls and an apartment meant for seduction. The second best scene for me is at the end, at a operation of "The Mikado." This is a wonderful film that has not only comedy, merely besides suspense and tenderness. One of the best through-lines in the script is the Moore character, who keeps actualization in odd places and is positive that Gloria is stalking him.
Hawn and Chase make a nice couple. He doesn't have much to exercise in a moving-picture show filled with showy roles, but she's absolutely adorable and instantly likable - truly i of the great screen personalities. The leads are ably assisted by the rest of the cast, the standouts being the aforementioned Moore, Baton Barty (another hilarious sequence), Rachel Roberts, and Burgess Meredith every bit a kindly neighbor who knows martial arts. What a shame that so many people in this bandage are at present gone.
"Foul Play" is the kind of one-act not made much anymore - very funny and warm with a good script. It doesn't depend on teens coming of age, bathroom sense of humor or special effects simply instead, interesting characters in crazy predicaments. This genre needs a renaissance.
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Foul Play is good make clean fun
The movies served as my babysitter in the late seventies, and watching the new DVD release of Foul Play bought back memories of good times, and the very well done DVD transfer was a joy to watch and heed to.
I tin can't think of a meliorate movie that puts the late seventies in to perspective; the comedy is simple, the relationships between the characters is lighthearted; heck, even funnier to me is Chevy's offering of a 'joint' to goldie, then saying, "you know they say the cops have the best dope", an ironic pre "war on drugs" line when people had perspective on such things.
The acting is really quite good, Chevy looks peachy every bit a boyfriend, and Goldie is absolutely stunning. The cinematography is well washed, well-baked and clear lighting with that seventies film stock quality that seems better in many ways than the heavily digitally processed look of today. It'due south refreshing to see, AND to hear- the v.1 surround was surprisingly good, very articulate, and well thought out.
If you are like me, and remember seeing this movie in the belatedly seventies, and would like a treat, hire or buy Foul Play on DVD, a truthful pleasure indeed.
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They don't make them like this anymore
I just watched Foul Play for the first time, and I must say, it is a wonderful, well written, acted and directed motion picture, that stands the rest of time and so some. A true love letter to San Francisco, to a time, a identify. On top of the fantabulous plot, I tin can't say enough about the acting. Goldie Hawn is at the pinnacle of her career. Beautiful, smart, sexy, all of the things that many actresses are not these days. Chevy Hunt is also splendid playing it directly, as a policeman trying to unravel a mystery while falling in dear with a woman he is trying to protect. Their love scene should be studied in film school, to prove how it'southward done. Maybe the best I've always seen. The chemistry is and so natural, and the love is so evident, information technology's astonishing they didn't wind upwardly together after the motion-picture show wrapped. Throw in a stellar supporting cast, Brian Dennehy, Dudley Moore, Rachel Roberts, Burgess Meredith, Billy Barty (in a great cameo!) with absolutely knockout scenery filmed on location in San Francisco, and you take an all time classic. You'll be humming Barry Manilow's 'Set to have a adventure again' after the kickoff 5 minutes and y'all'll want to rewatch this corking film. So highly recommended!
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"The bad guys are after your ass. It's my job to get in that location start."
Perky librarian Gloria Mundy (Hawn) has stumbled on to a plot to assassinate the pope. Now she has an albino, a dwarf and a scarfaced killer "later her ass." She turns to Det. Tony Carlson (Chase) and together they crack the case. The plot, including the obligatory car chase through the streets of San Francisco, is totally by the numbers, but this movie has a lot of minor delights. Witty dialog and a brilliant supporting cast help a lot. Equally for the leads, Hawn was in her prime. Fifty-fifty in the bad seventies makeup, hairdos and apparel she is adorable. Chevy Chase doesn't accept a lot to do, as the script gives most of the heroic moments to Hawn. Yet, he turns out to exist quite a charmer. I'd forgotten that, back when he was young and handsome, his bumbling schtick actually worked. The best part of seeing Foul Play now is spotting the multitude of 70'due south anachronisms. Merely a few that stand out: Gloria thinks nothing of picking upwardly a hitchhiker. She's a non-smoker but lets someone lite up in her machine. Chevy Chase'south character, a constabulary detective, smokes a articulation now and then. Ah, those were the days. If this picture appeals to you, I would strongly suggest "Silvery Streak" (1976), another comedy/romance/thriller likewise written by Colin Higgins. These two films share a similar sensibility, and I'd beloved to see them at a revival firm as a double feature.
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"Beware of the dwarf!"
Back when Chevy Chase was credibly a romantic lead, and Goldie Hawn a rising starlet, this was 1 of the all-time movies of the time. Hawn plays a librarian who runs afoul of a criminal plot to assassinate someone. She contacts the constabulary when her appointment is murdered (merely the body disappears), and again when she injures an intruder who is shot by *another* intruder (who both disappear when she faints...), and when she is apparently tracked down by the mysterious Dwarf. Sympathetic detective Hunt decides to hear her out, with able assistance from his partner, a young Brian Dennehy, and together they start to unravel what's actually going on. Dudley Moore has a hilarious flake-part as an oversexed Brit who misinterprets Hawn's plea for assistance equally a request for a liaison, with amusing results. The casting is groovy, with the late William Frankfather as an eerie and unsettling albino hitting-man, and the late Billy Barty as a... well, you'll know when you see him. Burgess Meredith is wonderful as Hawn's fatherly landlord, who lends a hand in solving the mystery.
Much of the one-act in this film is based upon mistaken identification and being caught in innocent but seemingly guilty circumstances. It is well done. Much can also be said for Dudley Moore who has a minor role that keeps reappearing throughout the movie. He's just a guy that want to get his ashes hauled and circumstances proceed throwing him together with Goldie every bit she tries to evade bad guys. He is hilarious in this role. And finally, in what I consider 1 of the funniest scenes e'er shot in whatever movie, are the elderly Chinese tourist couple, who have just arrived in San Francisco, armed with their suitcases and two minor American flags. Again as Chevy Chase's grapheme seized the limo they are in and charges through San Francisco to get to the Opera House to prevent "the Hitting" this couple lets the states sit back in uncontrolled hysterical laughter as you can only imagine what the two visitors must be thinking.
Overall rating: 8 out of x.
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One of the all-time comedies of the seventies!
Goldie Hawn is gorgeous as always. Dudley Moore is unforgettable every bit the sex mad Englishman and a very immature Chevy Hunt is terrific as the handsome cop. A very funny one-act with well chosen music from Gilbert and Sullivan and Barry Manilow. Wait out for the two old ladies playing Scrabble......hilarious. The plot revolves around Goldie and a gang of assassins who become her and the cops very confused and results in a great many hilarious moments and a smashing deal of action. The film is, in some places, reminiscent of the slapstick comedies of the thirty's and forty's and the auto chase is similar to the many car chases that have been filmed on the streets of San Francisco e.m. Bullitt and What'south Upwards Doc? Highly recommended.
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Diverting.
Although it has lost much of its freshness over the years, "Foul Play" still remains an entertaining blend of one-act, romance and mystery. The plot is very Hitchcockian, with the echoes of "The Man Who Knew Likewise Much" existence especially hard-to-miss. A sure bet when you're in the mood for some undemanding fun. (**one/2)
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Reminds us why Political Definiteness sucks.
Foul Play is delectably politically-incorrect.The bad guys are an albino, a Cosmic, and a dwarf. Dudley Moore's character in this movie is surely where Austin Powers' character was built-in. Is this a cult classic? It should be.
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Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077578/reviews