The Sunshine Boys (1975)

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Neil Simon (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

30 January 1976 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

For the price of a movie, you'll feel like a million!

Plot:

A vaudeville duo agree to reunite for a TV special, but it turns out that they can't stand each other.

Plot Keywords:

Vaudeville | Uncle | Potato Chip | Grudge | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Walter Matthau	...	Willy Clark
George Burns	...	Al Lewis
Richard Benjamin	...	Ben Clark
Lee Meredith	...	Nurse in Sketch (Miss McIntosh)
Carol Arthur	...	Mrs. Doris Green, Al's Daughter
Rosetta LeNoire	...	Odessa, Willy's nurse (as Rosetta Le Noire)
F. Murray Abraham	...	Mechanic
Howard Hesseman	...	Mr. Walsh, Commerical Director
James Cranna	...	Mr. Schaeffer, TV Director
Ron Rifkin	...	T.V. Floor Manager
Jennifer Lee	...	Helen Clark
Fritz Feld	...	Mr. Gilbert, Man at Audition
Jack Bernardi	...	Man at Audition
Garn Stephens	...	Eddie, the Stage Manager
Santos Morales	...	Desk Clerk
Archie Hahn	...	Assistant at Audition
Sid Gould	...	Patient
Tom Spratley	...	Card Player
Rashel Novikoff	...	Woman in Hotel
Sammy Smith	...	Man on Street
Dan Resin	...	Mr. Ferranti, Actor's Fund Home Director
Milt Kogan	...	Doctor
Bob Goldstein	...	Waiter
Walter Stocker	...	T.V. Executive
Duchess Dale	...	Ben's Secretary
Bill Reddick	...	Announcer
Eddie Villery	...	Flower Delivery Boy
Gary K. Steven	...	Boy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steve Allen	...	Himself (uncredited)
Phyllis Diller	...	Herself (uncredited)
Lois Hamilton	...	(uncredited)
Lauren Simon	...	Woman in Lobby (uncredited)

Directed by
Herbert Ross

Writing credits
Neil Simon		(play) uncredited
Neil Simon		(screenplay)

Produced by
Roger M. Rothstein	....	associate producer
Ray Stark	....	producer

Cinematography by
David M. Walsh		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
John F. Burnett

Casting by
Jennifer Shull

Production Design by
Albert Brenner

Set Decoration by
Marvin March

Costume Design by
Patricia Norris		(costumes) (as Pat Norris)

Makeup Department
Dick Smith	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Daigler	....	second assistant director
Jack Roe	....	assistant director

Art Department
Stephen Myles Berger	....	assistant art director (as Steve Berger)
Dennis J. Parrish	....	property master

Sound Department
Jerry Jost	....	sound
Harry W. Tetrick	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Roger Shearman	....	camera operator (as Roger Shearman Jr.)
Mel Traxel	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Seth Banks	....	costumer: men

Editorial Department
Margaret Booth	....	supervising editor
Patrick M. Crawford	....	assistant editor
Michael A. Stevenson	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Harry V. Lojewski	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Frank Bueno	....	assistant to producer
Tony Elmaleh	....	dialogue coach
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer
Regina Gruss	....	unit publicist
Nora Kaye	....	assistant: Mr. Ross
Marshall Schlom	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1975) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1977) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Ansonia Hotel - 74th & Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Woody Allen originally was asked to direct, but he was more interested in playing the role of Lewis and declined the offer. Twenty years later he would be cast as Lewis in The Sunshine Boys (1995) (TV).

Quotes:

Willy Clark: Well, you know, people don't go out to New Jersey unless they have to.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Invasion of the Neptune Men (#9.19)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Make 'Em Laugh

The Sunshine Boys

Superb version of the early 1970's comedy by Neil Simon about two aging comics, who hate each other, who try to patch up their relationship for a comedy tribute. Matthau is right on, but it's Burns who steals scene after scene. Just watching all that talent makes the picture! Richard Benjamin is also very good as Matthau's agent and nephew. Keep an eye out for F. Murray Abraham and Howard Hessemen.