Directed by:
Fred CoeCinematography:
Arthur J. OrnitzComposer:
Don WalkerCast:
Jason Robards, Barbara Harris, Martin Balsam, Gene Saks, William Daniels, Philip Bruns, John McMartin, Barry GordonPlots(1)
This warm and wonderful comedy-drama is a paean to non-conformity. Robards is an out-of-work writer who quit his last job writing a kiddie TV show called "Chuckles the Chipmunk" when he could no longer stand the stupidity. Unemployed for five months, he needs cash to help support his nephew, Barry Gordon, a bright 12-year-old whom his sister dropped off one afternoon seven years ago, then vanished. Gordon is illegitimate and, after living with Robards this long, more like a son than a nephew. The relationship between them is warm, loving, and respectful. Robards has never legally adopted Gordon, so a social worker, Harris, comes by to see if she can straighten out the situation. With her is Daniels, a prissy man who is a by-the-book social worker. Unless Robards can prove that he has a real job, they are going to have to take Gordon out of the ratty apartment and give him a foster home. Of course, Harris and Robards become romantically involved. Harris now has a personal stake in keeping the family together but can she and Gordon persuade Robards to return to the daily grind of a regular job? Will he willingly become one of the "thousand clowns" one sees running for the morning bus? (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Jason Robards
USA
Best movies:
Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 (2006) (video compilation)
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Philadelphia (1993)
Barbara Harris
USA
Best movies:
Plaza Suite (1971)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Nashville (1975)
Martin Balsam
USA
Best movies:
12 Angry Men (1957)
Psycho (1960)
Little Big Man (1970)
Gene Saks
USA
Best movies:
Deconstructing Harry (1997)
Nobody's Fool (1994)
The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1975)
William Daniels
USA
Best movies:
The Graduate (1967)
1776 (1972)
Two for the Road (1967)
Philip Bruns
USA
Best movies:
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Taking Off (1971)
How the West Was Won (1976) (series)
John McMartin
USA
Best movies:
Brubaker (1980)
All the President's Men (1976)
Kinsey (2004)
Barry Gordon
USA
Best movies:
Pressure Point (1962)
The Girl Can't Help It (1956)
Cinderfella (1960)