A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Directed by Richard Lester
Written by Melvin Frank and Michael Pertwee from the book to the Broadway musical and an ancient play by Titus Maccias Plautus
1966/USA
Melvin Frank Production
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Tragedy tomorrow/Comedy tonight! – lyrics by Stephen Sondheim[/box]
Add Stephen Sondheim’s songs to some of the greatest comic actors ever and a good time will be had by all.
The story is based on an actual Roman comedy. Pseudolus (Zero Mostel), a crafty slave, plots to gain his freedom from young master Hero (Michael Crawford) by uniting him with Philia, a beautiful virgin courtesan under the protection of a brothel owned by Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers). Complications arise as Philia is already promised as the bride of a blowhard Roman officer. In addition, Hero’s own father (Michael Hordern)) lusts after the girl himself. Appearing at intervals is Erroneus (Buster Keaton) as an old man searching for his missing children. With Jack Gilford as a supposed eunuch.
Nobody is going to accuse this musical of being the best ever made. but it is fun, the colors are bright, and the music is good. It was a very welcome diversion from the epics and misery fests that have been clogging 1966 lately.
But even without all that, I could not possibly leave Buster Keaton’s last film unseen. He died during post-production. I feel sad to be continuing this journey without him.
