Movie Movie

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"It's the swellest. It's the cream of the silver screen. It's got buckets of tears and a million laughs."
  • PG
  • 1978
  • 1 hr 45 min
  • 6.4  (1,268)

Movie Movie is a 1978 American comedy film directed by Stanley Donen and starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, and Red Buttons. The movie is a tribute to the old Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s, specifically the musicals and melodramas of that era. The film is divided into two separate stories, each modeled after classic Hollywood genres. The first story, "Dynamite Hands," is a boxing melodrama that follows Joey Popchick (Scott), a washed-up boxer who becomes the unlikely champion of the world. Joey is coached by his long-suffering girlfriend, Louise (Van Devere), and the two navigate the complex world of boxing politics and personal rivalries. Red Buttons plays the comical boxing promoter who manages Joey's comeback.

The second story, "Baxter's Beauties of 1933," is a musical extravaganza that follows the production of a lavish Hollywood musical. Scott stars again, this time as Spats Baxter, the ruthless and controlling director of the musical. Van Devere plays the lead actress, and Buttons plays the hapless songwriter who is constantly at odds with Baxter's demands. The story explores the behind-the-scenes drama of the filming process, including the clashes between the actors and director, and the romantic entanglements that develop on and off the set.

The two stories are connected by a framing device, in which a hapless moviegoer named Mr. Pythian (Harry Hamlin) gets drawn into the action of the films he is watching. Pythian becomes a supporting player in both stories, and his reactions to the melodrama and musical numbers add an additional layer of humor to the proceedings.

The film is notable for its faithful recreation of the Hollywood genres it parodies. The boxing story features gritty black-and-white cinematography and realistic fight scenes, while the musical story is a riot of color and spectacle, with lavish musical numbers featuring tap-dancing showgirls and elaborate costumes. The film also features a score by Ralph Burns, which captures the musical styles of the 1930s and 1940s.

One of the film's standout scenes is a musical number that combines elements of both stories. In the scene, Scott's character from the boxing story enters the set of the musical and discovers that Louise, his girlfriend, has been cast as the lead in the show. The two then perform a duet that incorporates elements of both genres – Louise sings a romantic ballad while Joey dances through the set, ultimately ending up in a boxing ring where he performs an extended dance sequence with the chorus girls.

Overall, Movie Movie is a loving tribute to the Hollywood films of the past, as well as a clever satire of the excesses of the studio system. The film's all-star cast is clearly having a great time playing these over-the-top characters, and the audience can't help but be swept up in the sheer joy and exuberance of the musical numbers. Whether you're a fan of classic Hollywood or just a lover of musicals and melodramas, Movie Movie is sure to entertain.

Movie Movie is a 1978 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.

Movie Movie
Description
Where to Watch Movie Movie
Movie Movie is available to watch free on Crackle, Plex and Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, FuboTV, Philo and Amazon. Some platforms allow you to rent Movie Movie for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1978
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 45 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (1,268)
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