For many viewers of a certain age, Rose Marie is best remembered as the wisecracking comedy writer on The Dick Van Dyke Show and as the earthy, self-deprecating panelist on Hollywood Squares. But she actually began her career in the 1920s at the age of 3 as a singer and spent decades as a headliner in vaudeville, radio, nightclubs, and television. Jason Wise’s documentary focuses on Rose Marie’s long and often tumultuous career, with Rose Marie (who died shortly after the film’s premiere) speaking frankly about the colorful and controversial people she encountered. The most fascinating highlights involve her relationship with organized crime lords: Al Capone invited her to his Chicago home, while Bugsy Siegel credited her with the successful launch of his Flamingo resort in Las Vegas. Rose Marie speaks lovingly about her marriage to trumpeter Bobby Guy, noting that they needed to elope to avoid the wrath of her too-protective father. The majority of her recollections are vibrant and positive, although she is uncharacteristically sour in recalling her experiences in the Broadway and film versions of Top Banana and with her costar Phil Silvers. Featuring interviews with Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, and Peter Marshall, along with archival footage (as well as clips from Rose Marie’s home movies), this is a wonderful tribute to an old-school icon. Extras include audio commentary by Wise, a "making-of" featurette, deleted scenes, and a Q&A with the cast. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Wait for Your Laugh
(2017) 82 min. DVD: $19.95. Samuel Goldwyn Films (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 5
Wait for Your Laugh
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