Day 163: Broadway Danny Rose

41ETZ0P9X7LBroadway Danny Rose, the 13th film directed by Woody Allen, is the story (told mostly in flashbacks) of Danny Rose (Woody Allen), a failed-nightclub-performer-turned-ne’er-do-well theatrical agent who now handles clients like balloon folders, bird acts, and a has-been nightclub singer named Lou Canova (Nick Apollo Forte, 1938- ) who finally gets a chance to perform for Milton Berle – but only wants to if Danny can get Tina Vitale (Mia Farrow, 1945- ), his lover, to attend the show.

When Danny tries to convince Tina to go to Lou’s show, Tina’s would-be suitor, a member of the mob, thinks Danny is Tina’s lover and puts a hit on him.

Danny and Tina run for their lives.

Do they survive? Does Lou? Does Danny ever make it big? Who ends up with Tina in the end?

You’ll have to watch this gem to find out for yourself.

Some funny dialogue:

Danny: My rabbi used to tell me We’re all guilty in the eyes of God.

Tina: You believe in God?

Danny: No, no. But I’m guilty over it.

Another great exchange between Danny and Tina:

Danny: You know what my philosophy of life is? That it’s important to have some laughs, no question about it, but you gotta suffer a little, too. Because otherwise you miss the whole point of life. And that’s how I feel.

Tina: You know what my philosophy of life is?

Danny: Oh, I can imagine.

Tina: It’s over quick. So have a good time. You see what you want – go for it. Don’t pay any attention to anybody else. And do it to the other guy first. Because if you don’t he’ll do it to you.

Danny: This is a philosophy of life? This sounds like the screenplay to Murder, Incorporated.

Danny Rose is another Woody Allen character, complete with the stuttering and the gestures and the meticulous pronunciations of words – especially words that end in “t.” Those, he always pronounces with a sharp “tuh” sound.

Broadway Danny Rose won Best Original Screenplay from BAFTA.

Woody was 49 years old when this movie was released in 1984.

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