Main Cast: José Ferrer, Reni Santoni, Shelley Winters, Elaine May, Jack Gilford
Release Year: 1967
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
Plot
Carl Reiner's semi-autobiographical novel Enter Laughing makes a largely successful transition to the screen. Reni Santoni plays the Reiner character, here named David Kolowitz. A machinist's apprentice in Depression-era New York, David dreams of becoming the new Ronald Colman. Defying the wishes of his parents (Shelley Winters, David Opatoshu), David lands a nonpaying job in a seedy theatrical production directed by broken-down ham Marlowe (Jose Ferrer). That the young aspiring actor knows nothing about his "craft" is evident the moment he speaks his first stage direction--"Enter Laughing"--as if it were a line of dialogue. Helped along by Marlowe's sex-starved daughter Angela (Elaine May), David manages to survive the rehearsal period, but his first public performance threatens to become a disaster when he can't find the entrance to the set. Still and all, David makes it through the play, cheered along by his now-supportive parents. Blessed with a marvelous supporting cast--including Jack Gilford, Don Rickles, Janet Margolin and veteran black comedian Mantan Moreland--Enter Laughing is a riot, especially for those viewers who have ever participated in amateur theatricals themselves. Only Reni Santoni fails to ring true as David Kolowitz (a role played on stage by Alan Arkin), though he has a few choice scenes, especially his impromptu performance on a subway. Watch for Rob Reiner in his film debut as a clumsy, self-conscious actor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Carl Reiner - Director, Charles Nelson - Editor, Quincy Jones - Composer (Music Score), Joseph Biroc - Cinematographer, Carl Reiner - Producer, Joseph Stein - Producer, Carl Reiner - Screenwriter, Joseph Stein - Screenwriter, Carl Reiner - Book Author, Joseph Stein - Play Author
Enter Laughing is a 1967 comedy film, directed by Carl Reiner, based on his autobiographical novel and the stage play of the same name. The film starred Jose Ferrer, Shelly Winters and Elaine May. Reni Santoni played the main character. The film tells the story of a young man from the Bronx trying to break into the theater.
Plot summary
David Kolowitz (Santoni) works as a delivery boy for a machine shop in New York City in 1938, and is fascinated with the movies.
Despite the misgivings of his girlfriend (Janet Margolin), his parents (Winters and David Opatoshu) and his employer (Jack Gilford), he follows the suggestion of his friend (Michael J. Pollard) and becomes involved with an off-Broadway theater company run by Harrison B. Marlowe (Ferrer). He admires Ronald Colman and uses the stage name "Donald Colman."
It is a margin operation that requires him to pay $5 a week for "tuition." Marlowe's daughter (May) takes a romantic interest in David, and he peseveres despite a lack of acting talent and the hostility of Marlowe.
Overcoming all the difficulties, he makes his acting debut and his parents and girlfriend accept his new interest.
