I think I saw Sleeper so many times growing up, it was another of those that seemed to come on TV every year, that I think I eventually grew tired of it. Take The Money and Run, like Sleeper and Banana's (IMO), do have their share of failed gags. And these films do, for the most part, rely on gags. Very much more than his later films. I guess I just can't imagine not starting your Woody Allen viewing here.pop_haines wrote:I liked Richie's list. It pretty much mirrors my own,
although the absence of 'Sleeper' surprises me. Many
funny, funny moments in that movie.
I'm less enthusiastic about 'Take the Money and Run'
(just saw it again last week and it just wasn't as good
as I remembered); I'd add 'Purple Rose of Cairo' and
maybe 'Broadway Danny Rose'.
There was a time when I was into all of his films, regardless of how funny they were, but I eventually came to the conclusion that if I want to watch Bergman, I'll just watch Bergman (I know that's not fair). I regard Woody Allen a comedian first and foremost. My list may make it appear that I only like his early comedies but that's not true. Hannah and Her Sisters is great. Crimes and Misdemeanors is pretty great. Bullets Over Broadway, Broadway Danny Rose and Purple Rose of Cairo are all very good. I even loved Zelig.
But there just seemed to add up too many that I didn't enjoy. To some extent, it started with Stardust Memories. I wanted to like it but there just wasn't enough for me to enjoy. A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, September, Alice, Everyone Says I Love You. I suppose I lucked into watching some of his lesser films and may have missed some of the better ones. But I've pretty much given up on seeking out his latest release like I used to.
