World Famous Comics: Jack Arendt The Man Who Came to Dinner
Jack Arendt The Man Who Came to Dinner
Starring: Nathan Lane, Jean Smart, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jack Arendt, Jozef Fahey Directed By: Jay Sandrich Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC Label: Image Entertainment Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 18, 2003 Running Time: 166 minutes Theatrical Release Date: October 07, 2000
Description: One of the most beloved American comedies comes to sparkling life in this fast-paced, stylish production starring Tony Award-winning Broadway favorite Nathan Lane (The Producers) and Jean Smart ("Designing Women")! While dining at the midwestern home of the prominent Stanley family, noted critic and social celebrity Sheridan Whiteside slips on their doorstep and injures his hip, leaving the city slicker confined to the house for an outrageous six week recovery period which leads to cockroach farms, an octopus in the cellar, a dinner party with ex-convicts, "The Penguin" and more madcap mayhem! Written by the classic comedy team of Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, this razor sharp farce remains pointed and side-splitting today. Pull up a few extra chairs and invite some guests for dinner and a show; the fun is about to begin!
Amazon.com: Nathan Lane practically explodes with bile as Sheridan Whiteside, a tyrannical radio celebrity who has been trapped in a Midwestern household by an injured hip. Whiteside rails entertainingly at the quavering family he's stuck with, but the play really kicks into motion when Whiteside's secretary, the only person who can stand to work with him, falls in love with a local newspaperman, forcing Whiteside to hatch a scheme to keep her by his side. Expertly crafted by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, The Man Who Came to Dinner zooms along. Lane (The Birdcage, Mouse Hunt) plays the part with his personality cranked up to 11--he rattles off each sneering barb with acid bombast. The production was originally broadcast live from Broadway, which gives it a genuine crackle of energy. Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson act as hosts, providing some historical background to this classic comedy. --Bret Fetzer
the Man who Came to Dinner - the stage version I think that this version of the play with Nathan Lane is as great as the previous version with Monty Wooley playing Sheridan Whiteside. It is interesting to see the same play acted and performed by different individuals. It is a wonderful show with all the verbal wit one could ask for.
A shadow of the original Bad casting and lame performances make this version of the Kaufman and Hart play a tedious ordeal to watch.
The Bette-Davis Monty Woolley 1941 film bubbles like pink champagne, while this made-for-TV effort is as sparkling as mud.
Nathan Lane as Sheridan Whiteside, the insufferable man of letters who (supposedly) breaks his hip on the steps of an Ohio family's home, lacks Woolley's bite and authority as he barks out orders and makes cynical observations about the people around him.
The color production will appeal to viewers who cannot abide black and white photography.
2 1/2 of 5 stars.
A Hilarious Masterpiece--Nathan Lane at his Best I had caught the last half of this video on public television's Masterpiece Theatre, and for many months my wife and I watched for it to be released on DVD. Turns out that, as outrageously funny as the last half was--it's that hilarious from the opening scene to the closing credits! If you've seen Nathan Lane in The Bird Cage, you'll have an idea of the side-splitting comedy that he brings to the stage or screen. The Man Who Came to Dinner put him in an utterly different character, but one just as over-the-top, and just as outrageous. For a Nathan Lane fan, this one is not to be missed. For anyone who likes a hilarious comedy, this is one of the best!
Fun, Funny, Great This recording from a recent production is amazing. Nathan Lane is great and larger than life, as usual. The rest of the cast does wonderful jobs. This is a treasure!
Strong Ensemble I suggest that any group looking for a strong ensemble piece to perform take the time to watch this production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner". The actors gel magnificently! Even the penguins!!! Nathan Lane is at his finest and Jean Smart has never been better. This DVD is a great gift idea, or would be fantastic as a classroom study..
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