YouHeart I gave it a 7.5 out of 10
ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
flackjacket Or more specifically, mocking all that made them rich and famous.It's no surprise that Norman Lear would make a so-called "comedy" mocking the military, democracy, church, capitalism, big government and the "stereotypical" Americans he always targeted. That's just what he did. And ironically, that's how he made a living in a capitalist nation of democracy made possible by the military and the working class Americans he loved to mock.But what amazes me is that Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart and Tom Poston would have any part of this film.Let's see, first there's Dick Van Dyke: Mister dance around with cute animated Disney penguins. Mister chitty chitty bang bang inventor, loving father and heroic rescuer of imprisoned unwashed children. Mister comedy writer, middle class American father who spoiled his ungrateful son ad nauseam. Made rich and famous in films and shows that made profits out of the pockets of everyone this film mocks.Then there's Bob Newhart: Mister stand up comedian with "funny" dry humor one ended phone conversations. Mister surrounded by middle America crazies Chicago psychologist. Mister Vermont inn owner, how-to-book writer surrounded by middle and lower class Americans. Like Van Dyke, also made rich and famous in shows that made profits out of the pockets of everyone this film mocks.And finally there's Tom Poston: Mister frequent "celebrity guest" on game shows spanning back to the 50's. Mister insufferable deadpan reaction. Mister handy-man at a Vermont inn on Newhart. Like Van Dyke and Newhart, made rich and famous in films and shows that made profits out of the pockets of everyone this film mocks.This film completely changes my opinion of all of them. Especially Newhart and Poston. For some reason I've always found Van Dyke annoying and unfunny. Maybe it's his nasal infected sounding voice, the dopey look on his face, or just the fact he just isn't funny or believable in any role he's been in.My advice - unless you enjoy seeing actors mock and give the finger to the very people that made them famous, to the system that allowed them to become rich, the military establishment that kept their ungrateful asses free, then avoid it. Better yet, copy it to a VCR tape, wipe your butt with it, then take it outside and set in on fire.Because, after all, it is a steaming pile of hypocritical crap.
thinker1691 Every now and then some naive or scheming corporate executive comes along with such a stupid or outrageous idea to boost sales of a particular product, he believes no one can actually overcome his incredible challenge. Such is the basis for this film called " Cold Turkey." In the spirit of trying to imitate notable figures like Dr. Albert Schweizer or Alfred Nobel, Merwin Wren (Bob Newhart) a Valiant Tobacco executive convinces Hiram C. Grayson (Edward Everett Horton) of a brilliant, though patently ludicrous idea to increase sales, while at the same time appearing philanthropic and noble. His challenge to America is to offer a $25,000 million dollar prize to any city in America which can quit smoking for thirty days. Taking the challenge is a baptist minister (Dick Van Dyke) a Rev. Clayton Brooks, in Little Rock Iowa. Once the town is enrolled in the pledge, the fun begins. What transpires in the following weeks is sheer lunacy for the towns people, the Tobbaco company and the news media. Although the test is one of physical discipline, emotional struggle and civic patriotic commitment, it transforms into one of social upheaval when all involved realize the prize and it's future personal potential. This is a superb achievement in films and noted as Edward Everette Horton's final film. Tom Poston, Vincent Gardenia, Barnard Hughes and Jean Stapleton are simple magnificent. Excellent family fare and easily recommended. ****
Tom-346 I can't believe that people rated this as the "funniest movie they had ever seen". It was not funny and moved so slowly that we just couldn't make it to the end. That is the biggest benefit of watching movies at home, you have complete control of the off switch.Dick van Dyke was definitely a misfit as a priest. His "goose step" jogging was about his funniest part and I'm not sure that wasn't his natural gait. Bob Newhart also was miscast. I kept waiting for him to be funny, but it didn't happen.If you record this from the "old movie" TV channels, keep your finger on the STOP button. You won't be able to hold out long.
MartinHafer The evil cigarette magnets (and in this movie they are definitely shown as being evil) have a plan. They want to increase business by denouncing, in a way, smoking. This sounds a lot like all the sick ads we see and hear from the "concerned folks at Philip Morris" that encourage us to kick the habit--yeah, sure! Anyways, back to the plot. The cigarette execs figure that a publicity stunt that makes them appear nice and kind will pay off but what exactly this stunt will be is the question. Finally, they hit upon the idea of trying to convince America that they really want our health to come first and offer any town a huge sum of money ($25,000,000) to give up and remain tobacco-free for one month. They figure it makes them look good AND no city could ever really give up tobacco--thus convincing people that addiction is inevitable.The little town of Eagle Rock, Iowa decides to accept the challenge. No matter how difficult it will be, they need the money and the 4000+ residents imagine all the wonderful things the money could buy. However, not everyone is so excited about the idea and compliance COULD be a problem. So, the town council organizes everyone to police each other AND they later decide to let the Christopher Mott Society (a local right-wing paramilitary group) to patrol the city and its borders. That's because once the month begins, people come pouring in from across the nation. Some come because it's become a media event (complete with Bob and Ray being on hand to report the happenings) and some because they are evil stooges working FOR the tobacco companies to make sure the people DO smoke (lead by Bob Newhart).What I particularly liked was how crazed people became over time. Barnard Hughes was the most likely to begin smoking and his hysterics around trying to find a smoke were hilarious. The preacher, played by Dick Van Dyke, dealt with it by developing a new addiction--as he began making more and more frequent trips home to make whoopie with his wife! And, the Christopher Mott society began to get very scary--treating their job like it was the ultimate battle between Democracy and Communism! In other words, if you smoke or try to get others to smoke, you are the ENEMY and must be stopped at all costs! In particular, I adored the performance of 81 year-old Judith Lowry as they incredibly over-zealous member who wanted to "shoot Commies". You may just remember her as they horrible but hilarious "Mother Dexter" from the Phyllis Show (1975).As the days tick by, the tobacco companies become more and more nervous that the city MIGHT win the challenge--thus convincing people all across the country and even the world that they, too, can stop smoking. So, Bob Newhart's devious plans get wilder and wilder. Ms. Lowry spots his antics and decides Newhart is DEFINITELY a Commie spy! At the very end, Newhart is going to release tons of cigarettes onto the town square just BEFORE the deadline--knowing someone MUST be too overcome to resist. And, as he's releasing the cigarettes Ms. Lowry shoots him! And, in spite of this, the people are too into the moment to even care. In the end, after they won the 25 million, you see garbage and cigarettes strewn everywhere--as well as the still bleeding Bob Newhart! Everyone has gone home and no one thought to call an ambulance or administer help! A very creative and energetic film. While some of the jokes fall a bit flat here and there, the film is so much fun it's well worth seeing.
