Review of Cold Turkey (1971) by Monsieur R — 26 Nov 2010

A satire on the addiction of smoking cigarettes. Funny at times, the era of the early seventies churned out comedies like this one in abundance. Not hysterically funny, not even witty, this is just amusing at best.

Almost entirely a Norman Lear comedy, written, directed, etc.

An entire town tries to go cold turkey... meaning NO smoking suddenly. If it does so for a month, the town wins 25 million dollars, but not before losing all sense of civility.

Stars young Dick Van Dyke as the town reverend and numerous television/movie supporting cast types. He is just as adicted to smoking as anyone, but sees the worth of the prize purse of 25 million dollars.

Bob Newhart plays the antagonist who's in the employ of the tobacco company. His job is to provoke the townspeople to smoking any way he can and thus lose the prize money. Ever dull witted Tom Poston also appears. Tom and Bob were regulars on Newhart's television sitcom show.

Comic impressario Norman Lear makes his directorial debut with this farce about an entire town who tries to give up smoking in order to win $25 million. Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart and Tom Poston star.

Cast.

Dick Van Dyke (of television's The Dick Van Dyke Show).

Bob Newhart (comedian, of television's The Bob Newhart Show).

Edward Everett Horton.

Tom Poston (of television's The Bob Newhart Show and before).

Jean Stapleton (wife of Archie Bunker in All in the Family).

Pippa Scott.

Crew.

Story by: William Price Fox Jr.

Editor: John C. Horger.

Director: Norman Lear.

Producer: Norman Lear.

Screenplay: Norman Lear.

Story by: Norman Lear.

Costume Designer: Rita Riggs.

Composer: Randy Newman.

Associate Producer: Edward Stephenson.

Cinematographer: Charles F. Wheeler.

Executive Producer: Bud Yorkin.