Play It Again, Sam

Although I'll be the first to admit that the line separating Woody Allen's hopelessly romantic, buffoonish, sexist character in this 1972 comedy helmed by the late Herbert Ross and Woody Allen's hopelessly romantic, buffoonish, sexist character in Allen's own 2001 Curse of the Jade Scorpion is thinner than a G-string on a praying mantis, "Play it Again, Sam" still suffers by comparison because the comedy is so-o-o dated. Based on his play of the same name, Allen plays "Allen" a recently separated film buff who is obsessed with Casablanca and breasts--making his eventual fixation on Diane Keaton a little odd, except for the simple fact that she, like Allen, is a bit of a misfit. Both principals would do this much better five years later in Annie Hall. Featuring a decent transfer and Dolby Digital mono sound, this extra-less disc is recommended for completists and fans of the Woodman, but is optional elsewhere. (R. Pitman)