''Critic's Choice'' is a 1963 American comedy film directed by

Don Weis Don Weis (May 13, 1922 – July 26, 2000) was an American film and television director. Biography Weis was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Emma (née Wiener; 1889–1971) and Meyer Weis (1886-1942). He graduated from the University of Southern ...

. Based on the 1960 Broadway play of the same name by

Ira Levin Ira Marvin Levin (August 27, 1929 – November 12, 2007) was an American novelist, playwright, and songwriter. His works include the novels '' A Kiss Before Dying'' (1953), '' Rosemary's Baby'' (1967), '' The Stepford Wives'' (1972), '' This Perf ...

, the movie stars

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...

and

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedian, producer, and studio executive. She was recognized by ''Time (magazine), Time'' in 2020 as one of the most influential women of the 20th century for h ...

and includes

Rip Torn Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor whose career spanned roughly 60 years. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Marsh Turner in '' Cross Creek'' (1983). Tor ...

Marilyn Maxwell Marvel Marilyn Maxwell (August 3, 1921 – March 20, 1972) was an American actress and entertainer. In a career that spanned the 1940s and 1950s, she appeared in several films and radio programs, and entertained the troops during World War ...

Jim Backus James Gilmore Backus (February 25, 1913 – July 3, 1989) was an American actor. Among his most famous roles were Thurston Howell III on the 1960s sitcom ''Gilligan's Island,'' the father of James Dean's character in '' Rebel Without a Cause, ...

, Marie Windsor and

Jerome Cowan Jerome Palmer Cowan (October 6, 1897 – January 24, 1972) was an American stage, film, and television actor. Early years Cowan was born in New York City, the son of William Cowan, a confectioner of Scottish descent, and Julia Cowan, née Pal ...

in the cast. This is the last of four films that Hope and Ball made together.

Plot

Parker Ballantine is a theatrical critic, busily praising or disparaging the shows of

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

. His wife Angela is feeling useless and restless, so she writes a play about her mother and sisters. Angela does not believe Parker should review her work, since he will look prejudiced if he does so favorably and it will hurt her feelings if he knocks it. Parker has read it and is not impressed. A major producer, however, decides to back it. Handsome Dion Kapakos directs the play and tries to strike up a romantic interest in the playwright. Angela continues to resist, but she's getting more fed up with Parker's negativity by the hour. Before the play's first out-of-town tryout in Boston, the conflicted Parker goes to see his ex-wife, Ivy, and gets a little tipsy. He decides to go to the opening, then writes a negative review. The trouble gets worse when he gets home.

Cast

as Parker Ballantine *

as Angela Ballantine *

as Ivy London *

as Dion Kapakos *

Jessie Royce Landis Jessie Royce Landis (born Jessie Medbury; November 25, 1896 – February 2, 1972) was an American actress. Her name is also seen as Jesse Royce-Landis. She remains perhaps best-known for her mother roles in the Hitchcock films '' To Catch a Thi ...

as Charlotte Orr aka Charlie *

John Dehner John Dehner (DAY-ner; born John Dehner Forkum; November 23, 1915February 4, 1992), also credited Dehner Forkum, was an American stage, radio, film, and television character actor. From the late 1930s to the late 1980s, he amassed a long list o ...

as S.P. Champlain *

as Dr. William Von Hagedorn *

Ricky Kelman Rickey William Kelman (born July 6, 1949) is a former actor. He had supporting roles in two single-season sitcoms, ''The Dennis O'Keefe Show'' (1959-1960) on CBS and '' Our Man Higgins'' (1962-1963) on ABC. Major roles On ''The Dennis O'Keef ...

as John Ballantine * Dorothy Green as Mrs. Margaret Champlain * Marie Windsor as Sally Orr * Joseph Gallison as Philip 'Phil' Yardley (as Evan McCord) *

Joan Shawlee Joan Shawlee ( Fulton; March 5, 1926 – March 22, 1987) was an American film and television actress. She is known for her recurring role as Fiona "Pickles" Sorrell in '' The Dick Van Dyke Show'', a career-defining turn in Billy Wilder's comed ...

as Marge Orr * Richard Deacon as Harvey Rittenhouse *

as Joe Rosenfield * Donald Losby as Godfrey Von Hagedorn *

Soupy Sales Milton Supman (January 8, 1926 – October 22, 2009), known professionally as Soupy Sales, was an American comedian, actor, radio-television personality, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children's television ser ...

as Boston Desk Clerk *

Jack Mower Jack Mower (September 5, 1890 – January 6, 1965) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 520 films between 1914 and 1965. He was born in Honolulu and died in Hollywood. After studying at Punahou College, in Honolulu, Mower moved ...

as Audience Member (uncredited) * Rhoda Williams As Phone Operator (uncredited) * Hal Smith as Drunk (uncredited)

Critical reception

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' wrote, "It is pleasing to look at in its expensive décor, color and scope, ably played by its experienced stars and ingratiating in its quieter insights into a sophisticated marital relationship. So long as it meanders modestly through some above-average repartee, it provides an agreeable way to pass an evening. Instead of leaving well enough alone, unfortunately, the director, Don Weis, has tried to upholster the shaky plot with slapstick and broad burlesque...Both stars, old hands at this sort of thing, go through their paces with benign good humor, but their subtler comic talents remain untapped. At this rate, the critics' popularity seems unlikely to improve."

References

;Sources * Martin, Mick and Porter, Marsha "DVD & Video Guide 2006"

External links

* * * *
The Shelf: Review of Critic's Choice
1963 films 1963 comedy films American comedy films Films scored by George Duning Films about writers American films based on plays Films directed by Don Weis Films set in Boston Films set in New York City Warner Bros. films Films with screenplays by Jack Sher 1960s English-language films 1960s American films {{1960s-US-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Critical reception

See also

References

External links