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Actors: Jack Weston, Jerry Stiller, Rita Moreno, Treat Williams, F. Murray Abraham
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Ritz |
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On his deathbed, Mafia-tied Mr. Vespucci commands his insane son, Carmine (Jerry Stiller) to “get Proclo” (Jack Weston), his disappointing son-in-law. With the “hit” on, Cleveland-based Gaetano Proclo tells a cab driver to take him to “the last place on Earth that anybody would ever think of looking for him”. Gaetano's safe haven turns out to be The Ritz, a gay bathhouse/nightclub in lower Manhattan. Abe, the sympathetic bathhouse cashier, assures Gaetano that he will be safe and undisturbed at The Ritz … as long as he locks his bedroom door. Gaetano, using the name Carmine Vespucci as a cover, reluctantly checks in. Gaetano's evening turns out to be anything but peaceful as he contends with the off-the-wall characters that have also checked into The Ritz for the evening. First is Claude Perkins, an old army acquaintance and a “chubby chaser”, who tries to seduce plump Gaetano with candy bars, chocolate éclairs and mouth-watering descriptions of dinner menus. Next is Chris (F. Murray Abraham), who is desperate to score with anybody. Armed with his trusty megaphone, Chris unsuccessfully entices would be suitors and shouts out invitations to orgies and announces phony telephone calls for football legend, Joe Namath. Chris becomes Gaetano's unofficial tour guide, explaining the inner workings of The Ritz and of the gay lifestyle. Then there is Googie Gomez (Rita Moreno), a horrid singer/actress with a grating accent who performs in “The Pits”. Googie, on a false tip that Gaetano is a major Hollywood producer, spends much of the evening trying to seduce “Mr. Vespucci” into securing her a more glamorous job. Gaetano will have none of it, especially since he is convinced that Googie is a transvestite. Also lurking about The Ritz is Michael Brick (Treat Williams), a handsome private detective with an irritatingly high-pitched voice. The real Carmine Vespucci, hoping to catch Gaetano in an uncompromising position, has hired Brick to spy (but how did Carmine know Gaetano was hiding out at The Ritz?). As cases of mistaken identity and hilarity ensue, the unlikely friends begin to ban together to fool Carmine, who has recently checked into The Ritz.
--Tara Dugan, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The Ritz |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily
Yes
Time/era of movie:
- 1960's-1970's
Taboo Sex Story?
Yes
Kind of sex:
- Two guys MAKING OUT (squish squish!)
Kind of comedy
- imposter story
How much humor v. drama
- Nearly all humor
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- bald
Hair type
- (man) bald
Body type
- (man) fat
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- not employed but independently wealthy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) very short/crewcut
Body type
- (man) average
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
City?
Yes
City:
- New York
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Movie makes you feel...
- full of laughter
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
- kissing
Any profanity?
- Some foul language
Is this movie based on a
- play
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Tara Dugan
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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