Reviews

What a joy to see Myrna Loy and Henry Fonda together. The story is touching, and for a TV movie of the time it holds up. Collins and Crouse are appealing, although it is hard to imagine that they are actually younger versions of Fonda and Loy. As soon as the movie starts it is clear that Fonda and Loy's dialogue is going to be.. How shall I put it? Precious. At times it's as if they are topping each other with one cliché after another.. utterly unbelievable, over-written dialogue, but to their credit Fonda and Loy remain engaging and lovable and dignified. I think if one watches this in the spirit of TV movies of the time (early 80's) it actually is probably better than most. Comparisons to "On Golden Pond" are likely to be made, with Fonda practically the same age, and I must confess I find "On Golden Pond" a corny guilty pleasure. Myrna Loy has an amazing beauty without trying to glamorize or look younger and she is great to watch.

There is nothing unpredictable in this hard-luck-story-programmer - But it is a great chance to see the talents of early screen talents Mae Clarke and Marie Prevost. Marie of the notorious, tragic, early death - It is not true that she had trouble with sound films because of a heavy regional accent: In fact she made a nice transition out of her dynamic silent screen persona into a sidekick with a heart a gold precursor to Joan Blondell - and though not an actress of depth, she has an appealing quality that is evident here. And then there's Mae - she is very easy to underestimate - but taking her performances in context of the times, she is in fact wonderful to watch - with a subtlety and directness that is well ahead of her time. A performer of excellent taste - here's a nice chance to see that talent on good display, albeit in a second rate vehicle.

Moody, unusual, VERY dark comedy/tragedy about a couple of very unusual roommates. Gunderson and Robertson reprised their stage roles, and Kathy Najimy, who directed the stage version, took a cameo role and is -as always- a delight. Unusual supporting cast includes the formidable Shirley Stoler from "Seven Beauties" and Quentin Crisp. The look of the film has an interesting hue, and some of the night shots of Manhattan have a haunting and beautiful effect. Bunker (the touching Paul Robertson) is a possibly mentally challenged, but friendly soul who shares a run down apartment with Topsy (Steve Gunderson), a domineering yet ineffective bully. Topsy creates an imaginary world and eventually terrorizes Bunker to keep him under his spell, but Bunker eventually becomes unhinged and their lives begin to unravel.