Movie Movie (1978) starring George Burns,Harry Hamlin, George C. Scott, Eli Wallach, Trish VanDevere, Kathleen Beller, Art Carney
Synopsis of Movie Movie
The first, ‘Dynamite Fists,’ is a black-and-white takeoff of such boxing dramas as Golden Boy. Harry Hamlin plays a John Garfield-like pugilist who is brought along by a tough-but-lovable fight promoter George C. Scott. Nasty gangster Eli Wallach attempts to compromise Hamlin by offering him the delectable Trish VanDevere, but Hamlin proves loyal to Scott. When Scott is killed by Wallach, Hamlin vows to become an attorney and bring the murderer to justice – which he does in the space of one year. Along the way, Hamlin’s gangster brother-in-law secures an eye operation for his nearly blind sister Kathleen Beller (whose bump-in-the-wall myopia is good for several laughs).
After ‘Dynamite Fists,’ we are treated to a coming-attractions trailer for a Dawn Patrol-style aviation epic, again starring George C. Scott.
The last segment, ‘Blansky’s Beauties of 1933,’ is an all-stops-out Technicolor lampoon of Busby Berkeley musicals. Told by doctor Art Carney that he is dying, Broadway impresario Blansky (George C. Scott again) determines to produce one last spectacular show before the curtain goes down for good. The highlights in ‘Blansky’s Beauties’ are too numerous to mention here.
Cast of Characters
Dynamite Fists
- George C. Scott (The Hustler) … Gloves Malloy
- Trish Van Devere … Betsy McGuire
- Red Buttons (The Big Circus) … Peanuts
- Eli Wallach (The Magnificent Seven) … Vince Marlowe
- Harry Hamlin (Clash of the Titans [1981]) … Joey Popchik
- Ann Reinking (Annie 1982) … Troubles Moran
- Jocelyn Brando … Mama Popchik
- Michael Kidd (Li’l Abner) … ‘Pop’ Popchik
- Kathleen Beller … Angie Popchik
- Barry Bostwick (The Incredibles 2) … Johnny Danko
- Art Carney (The Honeymooners) … Dr. Blaine
- Clay Hodges … Sailor Lawson
- George P. Wilbur … Tony Norton
- Peter Stader … Barney Keegle
- Jimmy Lennon Sr. … The Announcer (as James Lennon)
- Charles Lane The Invisible Woman … Judge
- Dick Winslow (Mutiny on the Bounty) … Reporter
- Brendan Dillon () … Jury Foreman
- John Hudkins … Hood #1
- Bob Herron … Hood #2
- Denver Mattson … Sparring Partner
- Jimmy Nickerson … Freddie Fox (as James Nickerson)
- Harvey Parry … Referee #1
- Wally Rose … Referee #2
- Fred Scheiwiller … Keegle’s Manager
- James J. Casino … Keegle’s Second
- John McKee … Timekeeper
- Gary Stokes … Timekeeper
- Garth Thompson … Irish Goldberg
- Clifford Happy … K.O. Brown
- Terry L. Nichols … Kid Gale
- Larry Hayden … Fighter #4
- Patrick Omeirs … Fighter #5
- Michael Rodgers … Tiger Barnes
- Tom Morga … Killer Wales
- Clarence Beatty … Zito Prima
- Charlie Murray … Fan #1
- Evelyn Moriarty … Fan #2
- June McCall … Fan #3
- Jack Slate … Fan #4
- Michael Lansing … Fan #5
- Chuck Hicks … Hood #3
- George Fisher … Hood #4
Additional Cast
- Lee Allen … Courtroom Spectator
- George Burns (Going in Style) … Self – Introductory Segments (uncredited)
- Robert Cole … Jury Member (uncredited)
- Nikki D’Amico … Lead Dancer (uncredited)
- Selby Dessner … Jury Member (uncredited)
- Stanley Donen (Royal Wedding) … Nightclub Emcee (segment “Dynamite Hands”) / Cab Driver (segment “Baxter’s Beauties of 1933”) (uncredited)
Baxter’s Beauties
- George C. Scott (The Yellow Rolls-Royce) … Spats Baxter
- Trish Van Devere … Isobel Stuart
- Red Buttons (Alice in Wonderland (1985)) … Jinks Murphy
- Eli Wallach (The Magnificent Seven) … Pop
- Jocelyn Brando … Mrs. Updike
- Barry Bostwick … Dick Cummings
- Art Carney (Firestarter) … Dr. Bowers
- Charles Lane (The Yellow Cab Man) … Mr. Pennington
- Dick Winslow … Tinkle Johnson
- John Hudkins … Mover #2
- Bob Herron … Mover #1 (as Robert Herron)
- Barbara Harris (Alfred Hitchcock – The Masterpiece Collection) … Trixie Lane
- Rebecca York … Kitty
- Maidie Norman … Gussie
- Barney Martin … Motorcycle Cop
- Sebastian Brook … Fritz
- Jerry von Hoeltke … Theater Workman
- Paula Jones … Chorus Girl
- John Henry … Chorus Boy