The Ritz (1976)
The Ritz Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Gaetano Proclo
as Googie Gomez
as Carmine Vespucci
as Vivian Proclo
as Chris
as Claude
as Michael Brick
as Tiger
as Duff
as Abe
as Maurine
as Sheldon Farenthold
as Patron with Bicycle
as Patron In Chaps
as Small Patron
as Patron With Cigar
as Patron
as Patron
as Old Man Vespucci
as Musclebound Patron
as Disgruntled Patron
as Disc Jockey
as Old Priest
as Gilda Proclo
as Pianist
Critic Reviews for The Ritz
All Critics (6) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (3) | DVD (2)
Rewatching it triggered my rediscovery of that period in film history when gay subjects were just gaining visibility and mainstream mediamakers were advancing recognition at the same time as the out-front cultural progress of disco.
OK version of the play enlivened by occasional flashes of Lester creativity.
Funny version of the Broadway show. Look for an early Treat Williams appearance.
Audience Reviews for The Ritz
On the run from his murderous brother-in-law Carmine(Jerry Stiller), Gaetano(Jack Weston) seeks refuge in the last place he would look for him, a gay bath house where Googie(Rita Moreno, fabulous in a scenery chewing performance) is singing that night. Abe(Dave King) at the front desk takes pity on Gaetano and cashes his check, thus allowing him entrance and to pay his cab driver. Now, all Gaetano has to do is stay one step ahead of Claude(Paul B. Price) who has a thing for plus-sized men. "The Ritz" is a silly, silly movie. If your idea of comedy like mine is Treat Williams speaking with a high squeaky voice, then you will certainly find this movie funny.(This is apparently not only Williams' first big movie role but also F. Murray Abraham's. And John Ratzenberger is around here somewhere.) While considering how far gay rights have come since this movie was made in 1976, this was also ironically a celebration of a more innocent era where before AIDS one could even joke about STD's, with the Ronald Reagan reference being eerily prescient. And I had always imagined bath houses as being dingy dives...
Super Reviewer
A very funny comedy movie, with a great story and good actors. I really liked it.
Super Reviewer
Very much a time capsule of a bygone era, everybody is enjoyably over the top but any time Rita Moreno shows up she blows everyone else off the screen in a performance of such reckless, hilarious abandon its a joy to behold.
Super Reviewer
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