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Enter Laughing (1967)

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Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 5

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 17

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Movie Info

Carl Reiner's semi-autobiographical novel Enter Laughing makes a largely successful transition to the screen. Reni Santoni plays the Reiner character, here named David Kolowitz. A machinist's apprentice in Depression-era New York, David dreams of becoming the new Ronald Colman. Defying the wishes of his parents (Shelley Winters, David Opatoshu), David lands a nonpaying job in a seedy theatrical production directed by broken-down ham Marlowe (Jose Ferrer). That the young aspiring actor knows

Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.

Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Carl Reiner

In Theaters: Feb 25, 1967 Wide

On DVD: May 6, 2000

Cast

Jos� Ferrer
Mr. Marlowe
Reni Santoni
David Kolowitz
Shelley Winters
Mrs. Kolowitz
Elaine May
Angela
Jack Gilford
Mr. Foreman
Janet Margolin
Wanda
David Opatoshu
Mr. Kolowitz
Michael J. Pollard
Marvin
Don Rickles
Harry Hamburger
Richard Deacon
Pike
Nancy Kovack
Miss B.
Herbie Faye
Mr. Schoenbaum
Rob Reiner
Clark Baxter
Milton Frome
Policeman
Lillian Adams
Theatregoer
Mantan Moreland
Subway rider
Peter Brocco
Lawyer Peabody
Patrick Campbell
Butler

Critic Reviews for Enter Laughing

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (5)

Reiner has directed a film version that sticks closely to the words of the play but destroys much of its sly insight into the dawning of awareness in darkest Bronx.

July 28, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

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TIME Magazine

Top Critic

An uneven film.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Top Critic

A low-pressure, quietly amusing story based on Carl Reiner's entry into show business.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Carl Reiner's 1967 debut film is, oddly, better made than any of his subsequent features.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Enter Laughing made a star out of Alan Arkin on Broadway, but Santoni is hopeless in the lead, lacking both the charm and the wit to pull it off.

December 20, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

A small, overlooked gem of a movie.

October 31, 2004 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Slow, stagey Carl Reiner bio-based comedy.

October 30, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

The autobiographical incidents are less engaging for the viewers than the protagonist.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

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Audience Reviews for Enter Laughing

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A book written by Carl Reiner was then turner into a play, Carl Reiner then adapted and directed that play into this movie. And the results are...Uninspired. Not without one or two good bits, but Enter Laughing really feels stage bound and suffers as a result.Sorry Carl I <3 U!

August 3, 2011