American Playhouse (TV Series) Charley's Aunt (1987) User Reviews

Where in the World is "Charley's Aunt"???

[rhamner · 9/10 · 31 January 2006]

A truly hysterical taping of an excellent production of this play starring Charles Grodin at heights of manic brilliance! This was shown on Showtime in the mid-to-late 80s and has unfortunately (and for reasons I can't begin to imagine) never emerged on tape or DVD to be included among Grodin's wonderful menagerie of characters. Sadly, I had taped it and made the mistake of loaning to someone who turned out to be less than trustworthy, after which I never saw it again! Hopefully, this gut-busting comedy will eventually be released so that the rest of the world can enjoy this marvelous and extremely funny production of this rip-roaring farce!

you still have a copy!

[sp2186 · 10/10 · 18 August 2008]

wow - you still have your copy? like others in this thread, my copy too was lent out never to return... Any chance you could duplicate it? Its a big family favorite!

Quotes are part of our family conversations: "From Brazil, where the nuts come from" and "But I'm all right!" bring knowing smiles and remembrances of the brilliant performances and obvious chemistry among the players.

I'm working on a back door to get a copy via a family member of one of the cast but its a long shot. I've also written to PBS about having it released commercially but never got a reply.

If I have any luck identifying a commercially available version, I'll be sure to post a comment!

Sparkling production of a classic stage play

[spinnercricket · 9/10 · 2 March 2008]

It is a great loss to the public that this PBS "American Playhouse" production, later shown on Showtime (when it was adventurous in more areas than sex), has never made it to the Video or DVD market. Like the other author here, my well worn VCR copy is the only record that this event ever occurred. The brilliance of the performances from Efrem Z. to Anne F. and all the way down the line carve out a moment in time. A day at Yale University in the early years of the last century. Ilene Graff, lovable Joyce Bullifaunt, a very young Victor Garber, and Vincent Gardenia all shine in the second tier with characters full of humorous prose. Literate as it is funny, ironic as it is fantastic, this stage production is what entertainment was meant to be...the culmination of talents congealing together seamlessly. No mention of this can begin to do duty to it without extensive mention of Charles Grodin. Too often wasted in film, Mr. Grodin flings himself across the screen, while deftly handling lines that would fell so many others. Even when he repeats a line that may be out of place, he adds inflection that makes it fit and makes us wonder if it isn't a running gag. His expressions utilize his whole body and are humorous without vamping and camping it up too much. His physical gestures are true to the moment, but not over-the-top. This makes his character more endearing as well as funny. John Ritter would have been too much, earlier versions gave us too little. Like baby bear's everything, Grodin gets it just right. And we are blessed by it. Even when the ending, the one we can see coming, arrives with one or two unexplained plot holes, we are left feeling nothing but satisfaction and are ready, at a moments notice, to return for another journey. SCJDM

A copy, a copy, my queendom for a copy!

[shalkyra · 5 December 2008]

This movie had a lasting impression on all members of my family. When we became adults, and married, our spouses were never so lucky as we, and still have not seen it. Nevertheless, they know when we are quoting it, and sometimes play along.

It was taped many moons ago by my older sisters drama teacher. We played the tape until we wore it out. It died a noble death. Some years ago, my brother-in-law spent an entire day trying to locate a copy as a gift for my sister. He was unsuccessful.

At one time, my sister had a lead on it from American Playhouse itself. At that time, it was still possible to purchase material from that source, and there was a 5 video set that we were told might contain that play. Alas, it was $100 for the set, and it was not, at that time, deemed worth it.

Ah, the wailing, self-recriminations, and sundry distress which has since followed. Today, I would consider it cheap at the price! If anyone knows where I can find a copy, I would be financially obliged. However, since the only times I see reference to this version is when others bemoan its lack in their collection, I am not holding my breath.

Let me just say, it is a wondrous play. Funny, engaging, and infinitely re-watchable.