The Sunshine Boys (1975 film)
| The Sunshine Boys | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Herbert Ross |
| Produced by | Ray Stark |
| Screenplay by | Neil Simon |
| Based on |
The Sunshine Boys by Neil Simon |
| Starring |
Walter Matthau George Burns Richard Benjamin Lee Meredith |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | John F. Burnett |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Sunshine Boys is a 1975 American comedy film directed by Herbert Ross and produced by Ray Stark, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and based on the play of the same name by Neil Simon, about two legendary (and cranky) comics brought together for a reunion and revival of their famous act. The cast included real-life experienced vaudevillian actor George Burns as Lewis, Walter Matthau as Clark, and Richard Benjamin as Ben, with Lee Meredith, F. Murray Abraham, Rosetta LeNoire, Howard Hesseman, and Ron Rifkin in supporting roles. This would be Matthau's last Neil Simon movie until 1982's I Ought to Be in Pictures with Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff.
Woody Allen originally was asked to direct, but he was more interested in playing the role of Lewis and declined the offer. Twenty years later, he would be cast as Lewis in the 1996 television adaptation.
Initially, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were proposed for the leads, but Simon was opposed to the idea, as he felt the roles required Jewish comedians. Several actors, including Groucho Marx and Phil Silvers were considered and the roles eventually were given to real-life vaudevillian veterans Red Skelton and Jack Benny.
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