Gone Before His Time: Freddie Prinze Sr. (TV Movie 2023) Poster

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8/10
It was no nice to have THAT TIME together
Ed-Shullivan21 February 2024
Anyone born in the 21st century most likely would be referring to the actor Frediie Prinze Jr who starred in the Scooby Doo feature films, and in his own TV series titled simply Freddie, and married his co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar.

But back in the mid1970s, there was a new half hour sitcom titled Chico and the Man, starring the gruff and old veteran actor Jack Albertson who owns an auto repair garage, and he takes on a young but very talented mechanic named Chico Rodriguez (Freddie Prinze). In real life Chico, played by Freddie Prinze was an up and coming but very young stand up comedian named Freddie Prinze. Freddie changed his surname from Frederick Karl Pruetzel, to Freddie Prinze which sounded like a Prince.

I never missed one episode of this TV comedy Chico and the Man, and as this documenatry points out, Freddie Prinze was a top comedian appearing on numerous TV shows and magazine covers.

Unlike many other documentaries which tend to praise and adore their main character, we see and hear about both the talent and the demons of Freddie Prinze. It is a biographical story from his early beginnings in comedy to the heights of Hollywood stardom coming mainly from his TV appearances and not from films.

I give the film a favorable 8 out of 10 IMDb rating. It is well worth watching.
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6/10
Well made
BandSAboutMovies2 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by Victoria Duley and written by Adam Meyer, this Tubi Original tells the story of Freddie Prinze. If you were alive in the 1970s, you saw his rise and fall. Today, he may only be known for being the father of Freddie Prinze Jr. This doc gives you the chance to learn just what he meant to the Latin community and how he made such a major career in such a short time.

As someone who deals with anxiety and puts everything into his work, I was really touched by the fact that Freddie did the same and didn't have the tools or the help to fix his issues. I wish that more people remembered him and what his career meant. Hopefully, you'll watch this documentary and learn more about him and take the time to watch some of his comedy routines and maybe an episode of Chico and the Man.

I really enjoyed seeing the pop culture of the 70s in this as well as the meaning of getting to do stand up on Carson. It's another cultural moment that is lost and I worry will be forgotten. Also: If you feel the same kinds of pressure that Freddie did or any mental issues, get help. You're worth it.
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