Mr. Saturday Night (1992)

Director:

Billy Crystal

Writers (WGA):

Billy Crystal (written by) and
Lowell Ganz (written by) ...

Release Date:

23 September 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

It's lonely at the middle.

Plot:

Buddy Young was the comic's comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes...

Plot Keywords:

Directed By Star | Saturday Night Live | Period In Title | Sentimental | Early Television

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Billy Crystal	...	Buddy Young, Jr.
David Paymer	...	Stan
Julie Warner	...	Elaine
Helen Hunt	...	Annie Wells
Mary Mara	...	Susan
Jerry Orbach	...	Phil Gussman
Ron Silver	...	Larry Meyerson
Sage Allen	...	Mom
Jason Marsden	...	Buddy, age 15
Michael Weiner	...	Stan, age 18
Larry Gelman	...	Mr. Gimbel
Kay Freeman	...	Mrs. Gimbel
Howard Mann	...	Stage manager
Julius Branca	...	Stage manager
Liz Georges	...	Script girl

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:M | Germany:6 (f) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #32002)

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

There is one scene where Buddy Young, Jr. is watching "Your Show of Show" starring Sid Caesar and wincing. Ironically, Billy Crystal has cited Sid Caesar for his reason wanting to get into comedy.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Stan explains that rating for Buddy's Saturday night TV show are sliding because the show is opposite Davy Crockett, a serial that actually ran midweek for three weeks on a TV's Disneyland show.

Quotes:

Buddy Young, Jr.: Who do you have to screw to get a vodka?
Sidney: Me.
Buddy Young, Jr.: Make it a ginger ale.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Saturday Night Fever (1977)

marvelous!

I had waited a long time to see this movie, and it did not disappoint. Billy Crystal gives a marvelous turn as both director and star in this biopic of a stand-up comic. It is told in retrospective, as he is now in old age and reduced to performing in nursing homes. He tells his fascinating life story. I found a little bit of Laurel and Hardy in the movie as Buddy (Crystal) continuously frustrates his brother/manager Stan. Crystal was good as his character is portrayed as a comic who is brilliant at what he does but at the same time is difficult to work with. I liked it. I really recommend this one.

*** out of ****