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My late Uncle David told my Mother about his cruise to Europe and the first class service he and my Aunt receive throughout there rest pud across the Atlantic. He also received extra perks while on board with daily baskets of cheer compliments of the cruise line. Facials, massage and pedicures were also daily without extra charge. He also was asked to Dine with The Captain which is of the highest honor a passenger on a cruise line would receive. You see my Uncle did a deceptive thing. He signed the register (passenger list) as being a Doctor. Luckily no one got sick during the duration. The couch trip showcases Dan Aykyrod as a malcontent in a white collar palatable way. You see our star Dan Aykroyd plays a mental patient John Burns who conned his way to into this mental facility in Illinois. He's as normal as a con man could be. Adept at electrical wiring, love making when he has the time to confidant receptionist (Victoria Jackson). Burns also doubles as an on hands suicide negotiator. Burn's foil in this story is Psychiatrist of the Hospital, the clueless incompetent C average Dr. Lawrence Baird (David Clennon) who can't get a handle on his job or patients . Burns causes a riot in the cafeteria and that's the last straw for Dr. Baird as he finally calls Burn into his office to tell him he's transferring him back to regular prison . Electrically inclined Burns has the Doctor diverted as he's alone, and as fate would have it, the telephone rings and it's Hollywood calling looking for a replacement on a drive time talk radio show hosted by the renown Psychiatrist Dr. George Maitlin (Charles Grodin). The problem here is that our radio Psychotherapist companion hasn't left his Beverly Hills bedroom for two weeks suffering from depression. His concerned weak, appeasing and neglected wife played by Mary Gross, pleads with her husband to get out of bed. Maitland responds by hiding under the covers. Putting this all together is Maitland's lawyer Harvey Michaels (Richard Romanus). Frantic and desperate Michaels tries to find a middle of the road Doctor that won't overshadow the regular radio star Maitland. Michaels picks the below average Dr. Baird. Michaels thinks he's speaking to Dr. Baird but instead it's the deceitful Burns. Micheals doesn't mention the radio show but to lures him west to take over his Practice while Maitland is on a phony sabbatical. Michaels makes the arrangements and first class ticket are waiting for a flight to L.A. for Burns taking the place of the real Dr. Baird. The escape is successful as Burns shows up at the Airport in prison clothes. Our story continues at Los Angeles International Airport. While Burns is charming the ongoing stewardess's, his ride is waiting in the form of enticing Dr. Laura Rollins (Donna Dixon). Dr. Rollins witnesses the flirty Burns and is disgusted as she walks away from him. A disheveled, unshaven panhandler in Priest clothing Donald Becker (Walter Matthau) harasses the rogue Doctor claiming those pants look familiar and realizes he's a phony. Deception, attempted murder, adultery, bribery and great phone calls from our public make this a farcical, cute comedy. Aykroyd is lean and energetic and smartly dressed. In addition Aykroyd showcases he's smooth, velvety voice which resonates through the air waves with the caustic use of phallic symbols and four letter words. Grodin plays the typical dour character spoiled and full of himself. Romanus as the philandering Agent /Lawyer appeases throughout the film. As deceptive a person as Aykroyd is in this film,there's a heart of gold in him somewhere. Matthau's deadpan responses are always classic and for a while I was fantasizing that maybe Jack Lemmon could of pulled that role instead of Dan Aykroyd. Great performance by Dan Aykroyd second to the character Boolie in Driving Miss Daisy. Talking about deception and phony titles. my Uncle David in reality was a Junkman He ran a salvage company Industrial Scrap Metal Company in Paterson, New Jersey.
score 4/10
thejcowboy22 1 July 2020
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5872442/ |
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28-2-2021 00:06:07