Terrible "comedy". Ben Chambers (Redd Foxx) discovers his wife Beatrice (Pearl Bailey) has run off with his brother! He goes to live with his son Norman (Michael Warren). What he doesn't know is that Norman is gay and has a white lover (Dennis Dugan). Things spin "comedically" out of control.
Rightfully obscure comedy. In 1976 this was a pretty risky subject (interracial gay lovers) but this movie makes sure that nobody will be offended. For starters the two lovers NEVER show any sign of affection for each other. No kisses--no hand holding--NOTHING! I didn't even think they LIKED each other let alone love each other. That aside the comedy was weak. The lines just simply weren't that funny. I never liked Foxx that much and this movie didn't change my opinion. He says every line with an utterly blank look on his face. You would think he would show SOME expression when he discovers his son is gay. Bailey is better but she's hardly in the movie. The same with Warren. He's good-looking and has a few scenes wearing nothing but his underwear but he's hardly in this. However Dugan, as his lover, is VERY funny and manages not to overplay his gay role. Also the wonderful Tamara Dobson is great in her small role as a prostitute. There's also some brief (and unfunny) comedic bits by Wayland Flowers and his puppet Madame. I'm really surprised this got a PG considering some of the language but it's pretty tame for today. Also the gay subject is handled badly. We get the expected homophobic jokes and an ending were everybody is happy. Norman's parents DO accept him being gay but in a totally unrealistic and condescending way. Unfunny, homophobic and stupid. A well-deserved obscurity.
Rightfully obscure comedy. In 1976 this was a pretty risky subject (interracial gay lovers) but this movie makes sure that nobody will be offended. For starters the two lovers NEVER show any sign of affection for each other. No kisses--no hand holding--NOTHING! I didn't even think they LIKED each other let alone love each other. That aside the comedy was weak. The lines just simply weren't that funny. I never liked Foxx that much and this movie didn't change my opinion. He says every line with an utterly blank look on his face. You would think he would show SOME expression when he discovers his son is gay. Bailey is better but she's hardly in the movie. The same with Warren. He's good-looking and has a few scenes wearing nothing but his underwear but he's hardly in this. However Dugan, as his lover, is VERY funny and manages not to overplay his gay role. Also the wonderful Tamara Dobson is great in her small role as a prostitute. There's also some brief (and unfunny) comedic bits by Wayland Flowers and his puppet Madame. I'm really surprised this got a PG considering some of the language but it's pretty tame for today. Also the gay subject is handled badly. We get the expected homophobic jokes and an ending were everybody is happy. Norman's parents DO accept him being gay but in a totally unrealistic and condescending way. Unfunny, homophobic and stupid. A well-deserved obscurity.