Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 9780790768045
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0790768046
Label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: July 09, 2002
Running Time: 92 minutes
Sales Rank: 4157
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: October 01, 1982
Related Items:
Editorial Review:
Description:
Peter O'Toole gives a knock-out performance as Alan Swann, a booze-loving former matinee idol who is forced into making a live appearance on a variety show to appease the IRS. Mark Linn-Baker plays the fledgling writer for the show who must keep Swann on the sober and narrow.
DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Feature-length commentary by director Richard Benjamin
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer
Amazon.com:
This love letter to the golden days of live television in the 1950s is a thinly veiled depiction of Your Show of Shows, the groundbreaking comedy show that starred Sid Caesar. The story, set in 1954, focuses on one of the writers for the show (Mark Linn-Baker), who is given the task of chaperoning that week's guest star, a famously ill-behaved movie star named Alan Swann. He's based on Errol Flynn and played with Oscar-nominated glee by Peter O'Toole. He also happens to be the writer's movie hero, but proves to be a hilariously drunken party animal, one who opens the naive young writer's eyes in a variety of ways. The highlight of the film is Swann's visit to the writer's outer-borough home and his encounter with the writer's star-struck mother (a delightful turn by Lainie Kazan). One of the better films directed by former actor Richard Benjamin. -Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "He's an actor, Ma, not a river."
This has always been one of my favorite little movies from the '80s. Charming, funny, romantic, wonderfully written, acted and directed -- a pure joy from beginning to end. And I was surprised: for a DVD released in 2002, it looked great on my 42" 1080p HDTV (I'm sure if it ever makes it to Blu-Ray it'll look even better). Now if only they would release a widescreen version of "Arthur"...
Rating:  - An enjoyable gem of a movie
The story takes place in the early days of television, clearly patterned on the Sid Ceasar show and involves a delightful Peter O'Toole, as an over the hill Erol Flynn type guest star, with a drinking problem. A young comic writer on the show is made responsible for seeing that the O'Toole character behaves himself and appears for performances. In the process, a number of comic situation occur, including a memorable trip to Brooklyn Well worth seeing.
Rating: - Slapstick as high art? Well...
That said, this film is one of two must own films from O'Toole's later years, the other being the Stunt Man, which I have also reviewed.
What can I say about a perfect film? There are so few made these days. If you like Peter O'Toole's easy style and delivery, you'll love him here.
Mark Linn Baker's debut is a fine example to his comic timing, and virtually everyone was cast perfectly.
Makes you wish for the good old days of live television, when reality was the furthest thing from our minds and television was escapist fare, not an excuse to gross us out or make us watch normal, boring, average people put through stuff we really don't want to watch.
I don't care about reality television. The reality I deal with out in the world is sufficient, thank you very much. Can we please have more fantasy and escapist fare? Pleeeeease?
Yeah, it's that good.
Rating: - Great performances and hugely entertaining
Peter O'Toole pulls it out in this very funny, rather touching homage to live sketch comedy TV in the 1950s. His performance (he sort of plays himself, which makes the film all the more engaging) is among his best work. Lainie Kazan is at her loudest, and funniest. Selma Diamond is her usual hysterical self. The rest of the cast does fine work in this well-written look back at days gone by. Feeling nostalgic? This one's for you.
Rating: - I love this movie!
Peter O'Toole is my favorite actor of all time. His performance in this
film is, by far, the saving grace of the movie. I cannot think of another actor who could have played the part with such tenacity and vigor.
The central story revolves around a young, green, comedy writer who is given charge of his alcoholic, trouble-prone movie star idol -- while said movie star is making an appearance on the comedy writer's live television show. The movie star's series of escapades that occur during this time make for hilarious comedy.
Set in the 1950's, My Favorite Year is a true "period piece". It's a joy to see the costumes, set designs, and mannerisms of 1950s America. The supporting cast has a great 50s look and feel about them as well.
While this movie has some serious flaws, the opening scene with O'Toole for one example, Jessica Harper's performance for another, it is a good
film and one that leaves you feeling uplifted in the end.
If you love comedy, and you love O'Toole, then My Favorite Year is right
down your alley.
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