Watch The One and Only
- PG
- 1978
- 1 hr 38 min
-
5.8 (940)
The One and Only is a 1978 comedy film directed by Carl Reiner and starring Henry Winkler, Kim Darby, and Gene Saks. The film follows the story of a young American man named Andy Schmidt, played by Winkler, who dreams of becoming a famous wrestler like his idol, Gorgeous George. Andy, a grocery clerk from Milwaukee, is obsessed with wrestling and believes he has what it takes to become a star. Despite his lack of experience, he sets out to make his dreams a reality and travels to New York to train with a former wrestler named Tully, played by Gene Saks.
Once in New York, Andy struggles to make ends meet and find a wrestling promoter who will take him seriously. But with the encouragement and support of his girlfriend, Mary Crawford, played by Kim Darby, Andy finally lands a job as a wrestling announcer for a local television station.
As Andy begins to gain experience and confidence, he catches the eye of a wrestling promoter named Brell, played by Ed Begley Jr. Brell sees Andy's potential and offers him a chance to become the next Gorgeous George, but only if he can defeat the reigning champion, the Masked Marvel.
Andy accepts the challenge and begins training for the biggest match of his life. Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a group of rowdy wrestling fans, a famous wrestler named Rassler, and a conniving promoter named Col. Buck Buchanan.
But as the big match approaches, Andy begins to question his motivations and whether he really wants to become the next Gorgeous George. With the help of Mary and Tully, he realizes that being a true champion means being true to oneself and standing up for what one believes in.
The One and Only is a classic underdog story, filled with humor, heart, and plenty of wrestling action. Henry Winkler delivers a memorable performance as Andy, capturing both his goofy charm and his determination to succeed. Kim Darby is also excellent as Mary, providing a strong female presence in a male-dominated world.
The film features a number of memorable scenes, including a hilarious wrestling match between Andy and Tully, and a tense showdown between Andy and the Masked Marvel. The supporting cast is also top-notch, with standout performances from Ed Begley Jr. as the sleazy promoter, and William Daniels as the tough-talking boss of the television station.
Overall, The One and Only is an entertaining and uplifting comedy that celebrates the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. Whether you're a wrestling fan or simply looking for a feel-good movie, this underrated gem is well worth a watch.
The One and Only is a 1978 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.