Had the good fortune the other night, thanks to Turner Classic Movie’s awesome 31 Days of Oscar programming, to re-watch The Sunshine Boys. Written by Neil Simon and starring Walter Matthau and George Burns for those not in the know.
Man oh man, Walter Matthau is fantastic. I think it takes a great actor to convincingly play a much older guy, although you have to admit he does have the natural chops for it. He did the same in the Jack Lemmon-directed Kotch, and I believe was Best Actor-nominated for both performances. Sure, Burns won the much-deserved gold boy for Sunshine, but if you ask me, Matthau blows him off the screen. It’s simply impossible to forget “En-taaa!” and “The finger!” And sure, the movie is packed with Simon’s schmaltz and “ba-dum-bum” one liners, but it works from start to finish– even Richard Benjamin (who stars in the second worst movie ever made, Saturday the 14th) is acceptable in an typically whiny role.
Of course, Matthau’s best performance is in, no not The Odd Couple, not The Fortune Cookie, not Grumpy Old Men, not The Bad News Bears (which is his second greatest role) but The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Watch it (NOW!) and discover for yourself. I couldn’t do it the proper justice by describing here. Mostly known as a comic actor, Matthau did the drama well also, in Pelham and in films like The Laughing Policeman and Charley Varrick.
One of my favorite, much lesser-known Matthau moments, is his appearance in the gimmicky Earthquake. Of course, Dad took us to see it because of the hilarious and mildly effective “Sensurround”, and was amazed to see an unbilled Matthau in the film, as “Drunk in a Bar”. To double check, he made us stick around for the end credits, something Dad NEVER did, and it turns out Matthau was billed as Walter Matuschanskayasky, which led to rumors that was his real name, natch. But it isn’t. But it’s still funny. And so is Walter Matthau, one of the finest actors ever to grace the screen. There, I said it.
Now do yourself a favor and go watch a Walter Matthau movie. (But not Out to Sea….and not I.Q., even though he’s good in that one too )
Von Luger's Butter 
Please find that Earthquake clip, please…
Hey. Speaking of clips: I think a certain pack of movie mavens should sit down and make a few cinematic mash-ups. Like the recently viewed Tim Burton treatment of Weekend at Bernie’s. It’s not that hard, and the technology is readily available. Something to think about…
Here you go my friend:
Oh fookin A. Thanks!
Holey moley! During the last Movie Night/Day, I was going on about Earthquake, which has been on cable recently for some reason. I had completely forgot that Matthau had a bit part. He was actually in two scenes: one in the bar, trying to drink a shot as everything shook around him. Later on in the movie, he was in a scene in an underground mall where the authorities had set up a makeshift hospital. Matthew was entertaining everyone with a drunken dance, stumbling around and singing. There were even two cops standing around him laughing. You might not remember because I assume you were blinded by the pure acting talent of Marjoe Gortner.
Blinded by Gortner…Well, who wouldn’t be?
Although I have been known to entertain everyone with a drunken dance (especially after we didn’t see the director’s cut of THE ABYSS), stumbling around and/or singing, I think you meant “Matthau.”
All hail Mighty Matthau! With you all the way on PELHAM being his best film, but you’ll get points from Fred for citing CHARLEY VARRICK as well.