Review of The Ritz (1976) by Mindy L — 22 Jun 2009
Incredibly funny fish out of water film... the ensemble cast is wonderful. From Jack Weston as the unknowing Gaetano Procolo and Jerry Stiller as his nefarious brother in law Carmine Vespucci, a young F.
Murray Abraham (who is adorable in his red towel), an INCREDIBLY young Treat Williams with a voice only a teenage girl could love and the two greatest funny ladies anyone can put in supporting roles..
Kaye Ballard as Vivian Procolo and the enormously gifted Rita Moreno in one her BEST roles ever (Hollywood NEVER knew what they had in her) as the not so great bathhouse singer Googie Gomez (Bette Midler would have a had NO competition from her) whose heavy Puerto Rican accent never wavers, even when she sings.
. there is no more a perfect cast to be found. The story line is hilarious.. and even though the thought that it takes place in a gay bath house should NOT scare anyone away from seeing this film. It's funny.
. plain and simple. My only qualm with it is this.. I have MANY gay male friends... and the gay men that habituate this particular bath house are some of the UGLIEST gay men I've ever seen.. BUT.. take a good look around.
. you'll find a young John Ratzenburger in there.
This review of The Ritz (1976) was written by Mindy L on 22 Jun 2009.
The Ritz has generally received positive reviews.
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