FOT Canon - Nominee #2 - The In-Laws (the 1979 original)

[Matthew_S]

The 2nd nominee for the FOT canon -- the 1979 movie, The In-Laws.  Starring Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, the movie has the wonderful tagline, "The FIRST certified Crazy Person's Comedy."

What are your thoughts?

Imdb says that Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 50 Greatest Comedies Of All Time" in 2006 -- is it worthy of induction into the FOT canon?


Thanks to Bryan for the suggestion!

__________________

Nominee #1 - Freaks and Geeks -- INDUCTED. 
http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,3839.0.html

[Bryan]

I don't expect this one to be as overwhelmingly unanimous as F&G, but I do think it deserves a place in the canon. If any of the FOT haven't seen it, please do! It knocked my socks off.

[Spoony]

"Don't pigs squeel like that when they die?"

"The pig is alive, Shel."

[jbissell]

Guess I should bump it up my Netflix queue.

[Fido]

Big fan of the Peter Falk/Alan Arkin In-Laws. I've seen it I don't know how many times, and get a laugh out of it every time. If it were on TV now, I'd probably be tempted.

Don't bother with the remake.

Serpentine, Shelly, serpentine!

[Spoony]

There were only a couple things that would send my Dad into hysterics, and The In-Laws were one of them. It has a couple "slide-whistle comedy" moments, but it still holds up as hilarious.

On a rainy day, watch it with the commentary on. Alan Arkin and Peter Falk are a little ramble-y but it's great to hear two pro's who are in love with their craft.

[jbissell]

I think the Never Saw It/Meh options should be separated.

[Matthew_S]

I think the Never Saw It/Meh options should be separated.

Fair point.  I revised and reset the poll (so please vote again).  Initially I provided more options to encourage voting but I realize now (thanks!) that in the end it made little sense.

[JonFromMaplewood]

Loved it as a kid. But I watched it recently, and it felt really, really dated.  I hardly laughed.

Sorry.

[Spoony]

Even the black velvet paintings? C'mon!

Speaking of which, something I haven't seen since moving to NYC are the dudes hanging out in empty parking lots, selling 30 giant black velvet paintings. Where did they go? Is black velvet a dead art form?

[Matthew_S]

Even the black velvet paintings? C'mon!

Speaking of which, something I haven't seen since moving to NYC are the dudes hanging out in empty parking lots, selling 30 giant black velvet paintings. Where did they go? Is black velvet a dead art form?

Maybe Ken/WFMU bought them all up?

[dave from knoxville]

Big fan of the Peter Falk/Alan Arkin In-Laws. I've seen it I don't know how many times, and get a laugh out of it every time. If it were on TV now, I'd probably be tempted.

Don't bother with the remake.

Serpentine, Shelly, serpentine!

I think that I mentioned to Tom once on air, although it might just be one of those things I meant to do, that there was a local band here in the early 80's called "Serpentine Shell", and the drummer had a picture of a tse-tse fly holding a blanket bindle in its mouth.

[masterofsparks]

I guess the fact that "Never saw it" is leading the voting means it probably shouldn't be included.

[Bryan]

I guess the fact that "Never saw it" is leading the voting means it probably shouldn't be included.

Yep. That's probably true.

But all you "Never Saw It"s will be kicking yourselves when you finally get around to it!

[Matthew_S]

I guess the fact that "Never saw it" is leading the voting means it probably shouldn't be included.

I agree.  And this poll closes soon.

New suggestions welcome.  *or tell me to quit it!*