Take the Money and Run

source: Take the Money and Run

Trailer—Take the Money and Run

Take the Money and Run

Take the Money and Run ranked rather high on the AFI's list of the 100 Funniest movies, which surprised me. Although it's got some hilarious bits of comedy (the bank robbery, of course, is the funniest bit), the humor seems a bit dated, on par with What's New Pussycat or Casino Royale as opposed to Bananas and Sleeper (his two early comedy classics, in my opinion). Janet Margolin (RIP) was a talented actress, but I didn't find her particularly funny in this movie. She was better in a brief role as one of Woody's high-strung ex-wives in Annie Hall. Louise Lasser and Diane Keaton were worthier (and funnier) replacements. A good bet for rainy day laughs, but not one of the funniest movies of all time.

This slightly uneven, but often hilarious, Woody Allen outing delivers the goods. There are some memorable bits, which are significant of his comic style. The one involving the chain gang, I'm sure, will always be remembered. Of course, some of the bits are too far-fetched and cartoonish to be funny, but Woody's routines often work and I can't lie that this movie is extremely fresh and original. I just watched it recently, and was laughing my head off, so I know it's not one of those outdated comedies. I've seen funnier Woody Allen movies, but I would still recommend it for all those who are curious of his early work--like I am. And for something that was made when he was still an up-and-coming filmmaker, it was done extremely well. My score: 7 (out of 10)

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (1969) ***1/2 Woody Allen's first foray into filmmaking is a laugh riot from start to finish in this hilarious "mockumentary": a documentary focusing on inept criminal Virgil Stockwell (Allen in his funniest role) whose life of crime is nothing but a joke. Cleverly narrated in stark dramatise by Jackson Beck and fast with one-liners and sight gags. Best bit: Allen's bank robbery with a grammatically incorrect stick-up not ("This is a gub!"). Janet Margolin co-stars as his long-suffering but understanding lovely wife (which sets the tone in all of Woody's films) and look out for Louise Lasser's cameo (Mrs. Allen at the time!)

Wow, when I was young and very much secularist back when this came out, and for a couple of decades later, I found this movie hilarious and nothing offended me. I can't say that anymore as Allen's bias against religion, which he has made public many times over the years, hit me right in the gut in a number of scenes here.....ruining the fun of watching this anymore. Allen is quick to insert in this story that the misguided couple (he and actress Janet Margolin) are screwed up because their parents "beat religion into them." In case you didn't get that message, Allen repeats it several times! Otherwise, it's a funny movie that reminded me of the more modern Christopher Guest "mockumentaries" in which the film is supposed to look a documentary of sorts but is all fiction. Since this is a one-joke movie, Allen was smart in keeping it short at 80-some minutes because it starts to wear by the end.

In an age of tee hee funny blockbuster comedies, this is a FUNNY knee- slapping side-splitting tear-producing pause-the-DVD-so-as-to-not-miss-a-line-movie. Hollywood just does not make movies like this. It's a love story between a crook and a beautiful woman. No, it's the story of a little red headed kid who went on to pull off the worst bank heist ever. No, it's the story of a cons escape from prison. It's all of these. Only Woody could have had Virgil fall madly in love with Louise, want to spend the rest of his life with her, then only later on, decide he doesn't want to steal her purse. Classic. Only Woody would have his bank robber pull off a bank job with a mis-spelled note then have him escape from a chain gang on foot running beside men on bikes. Fantastic movie and fun for all. Prepare to laugh.

Take the Money and Run (1969) was Woody Allen's motion picture debut (sans 'Tiger Lily). The film follows the life of a criminal loser, shot in a faux documentary style. Allen used the most out of his small budget and made an amusing film. This was the beginning of his slapstick/farce phase that would last until the early 70's. An interesting start for one of America's most unique film-makers of that era. The script by Mickey Rose and Woody Allen is deeply engraved with screwball humor from their childhood icons such as the Marx Brothers and Charles Chaplin. This film showed the promise of a brilliant director who would become a major player in Hollywood in the years to come. Highly recommended. A.

Very early Woody Allen winner has the all-time lovable loser trying to make ends meet with girlfriend and future wife Janet Margolin. Allen, obviously pretty unskilled in most everything, decides that he can do just what the title of the film says and achieve true happiness with his one true love. Documentary-styled footage makes the picture unfold in a quietly uproarious way as Allen uses corny techniques used by most news organizations to tell a story that would have looked very odd without his insight being involved. Allen's films only work because he makes them work usually and that is definitely the case with "Take the Money and Run". Once again he shows unlimited potential and would use this movie, more than any other, as a spring-board for much future success in the 1970s, 1980s and beyond. 4 stars out of 5.