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Norman... Is That You?
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Wikipedia article
'Norman... Is That You?' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by George Schlatter and starring Redd Foxx and Pearl Bailey. It is based on the play 'Norman, Is That You?' The film version changes the locale from New York City to Los Angeles and substitutes an African American family for a Jewish family in the original play.
Overview
Ben Chambers arrives in Los Angeles to seek consolation from his son, Norman. Ben is upset and confused after his wife abandons the family dry-cleaning business in Tucson and runs away to Mexico with her brother-in-law. Ben Chambers discovers his son is gay after he finds Norman's lover, Garson, in the bedroom. While dealing with the abandonment of his wife, Ben tries to understand his son's orientation. After an altercation with Norman, due to Ben hiring a prostitute for Norman, Ben forms a bond with Garson.
Cast
* Redd Foxx as Ben Chambers
* Pearl Bailey as Beatrice Chambers
* Dennis Dugan as Garson Hobart
* Michael Warren as Norman Chambers
* Tamara Dobson as Audrey
* Vernee Watson-Johnson as Melody (as Verne Watson)
* Jayne Meadows as Adele Hobart
* George Furth as Mr. Sukara, Bookstore Clerk
* Barbara Sharma as Lady Bookstore Clerk
* Sergio Aragons as Desk Clerk
* Sosimo Hernandez as Desk Clerk
* Wayland Flowers as Larry Davenport
* Allan Drake as Cab Driver
Reception
Roger Ebert of the 'Chicago Sun-Times' gave the film 2 stars out of 4 and wrote "The movie isn't much (and it's based on a Broadway play that was even less), but while Foxx is onscreen we're willing to forgive it a lot. He stands there in a clutter of cliches, bad jokes and totally baffling character motivation, and he makes us laugh." Richard Eder of 'The New York Times' stated "It is a series of bad jokes about homosexuality, strung upon trite situation comedy and collapsing into what is meant to be an uplifting message about people being allowed to do their own thing."Eder, Richard (September 30, 1976). "Screen: 'Norman...Is That You?'" 'The New York Times'. 36. Gene Siskel of the 'Chicago Tribune' gave the film 1.5 stars out of 4 and called it "a hopelessly dated comedy" with "predictable" jokes and a "dreadfully slow pace."Siskel, Gene (October 4, 1976). "Slow film lives up to track record". 'Chicago Tribune'. Section 2, p. 9. Arthur D. Murphy of 'Variety' called it "an uneven, sporadically amusing forced comedy effort."Murphy, Arthur D. (September 29, 1976). "Film Reviews: Norman...Is That You?" 'Variety'. 30. Charles Champlin of the 'Los Angeles Times' wrote that the film "began life as a play, but it now looks like television, feels like television, was cast from television (Redd Foxx), lit and shot like television (on tape, mostly, rather than film) and needs only a laugh track to come off like a slightly gamier television sitcom."Champlin, Charles (September 29, 1976). "'Norman' as a Gamy Sitcom". 'Los Angeles Times'. Part IV, p. 1. Gary Arnold of 'The Washington Post' panned it as "a feeble attempt at bedroom farce."Arnold, Gary (October 6, 1976). "'Norman... Is That You?': The Funny Stuff Is Momentary at Best". 'The Washington Post'. B15.
References
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