What a waste of my time!!!

Truly Dreadful Film

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

'Norman... is that You', was popular on the dinner theater circuit in the '70's. It was strangely written by Sam Bobrick earlier of 'The Andy Griffith Show' then later created 'Save By the Bell'. This inspired casting by big time TV producer George Schlatter had Redd Foxx. I saw this when I was stationed at a remote site and they would send us one movie a week (before video, and it was like in 'MASH' except without any women). Everybody was looking forward to a raunchy Redd Foxx comedy and when it started every black guy walked out. The rest of us laughed our butts off at this funny, bawdy comedy. 'Madame' who became a TV star on 'Solid Gold' was the foul mouth older temptress and Pearl Bailey in limited screen time was Redd's wife and foil. With Redd Foxx trying to understand why his son has become gay (not Stephen Foster)the black guys in the original screening had to wait 40 years to accept black gay men on the screen, 'Empire', that's to bad. This is a very funny coming of age movie, and only for those who don't offend easily.

Terrible "comedy". Ben Chambers (Redd Foxx) discovers his wife Beatrice (Pearl Bailey) has run off with his brother! He goes to live with his son Norman (Michael Warren). What he doesn't know is that Norman is gay and has a white lover (Dennis Dugan). Things spin "comedically" out of control.Rightfully obscure comedy. In 1976 this was a pretty risky subject (interracial gay lovers) but this movie makes sure that nobody will be offended. For starters the two lovers NEVER show any sign of affection for each other. No kisses--no hand holding--NOTHING! I didn't even think they LIKED each other let alone love each other. That aside the comedy was weak. The lines just simply weren't that funny. I never liked Foxx that much and this movie didn't change my opinion. He says every line with an utterly blank look on his face. You would think he would show SOME expression when he discovers his son is gay. Bailey is better but she's hardly in the movie. The same with Warren. He's good-looking and has a few scenes wearing nothing but his underwear but he's hardly in this. However Dugan, as his lover, is VERY funny and manages not to overplay his gay role. Also the wonderful Tamara Dobson is great in her small role as a prostitute. There's also some brief (and unfunny) comedic bits by Wayland Flowers and his puppet Madame. I'm really surprised this got a PG considering some of the language but it's pretty tame for today. Also the gay subject is handled badly. We get the expected homophobic jokes and an ending were everybody is happy. Norman's parents DO accept him being gay but in a totally unrealistic and condescending way. Unfunny, homophobic and stupid. A well-deserved obscurity.

This snarky, homophobic thing was dated in 1976. It seems particularly mean-spirited now, filled with gay stereotypes, and characters that are meant to be laughed at, rather than with. Redd Foxx does his standard schtick, Michael Warren at least tries to bring humanity to a one dimensional character, and Pearl--Pearl what were you thinking--? Pearl Bailey deserves far better.

I saw it so many years ago I remember less than I should. But I do remember liking its light-heartedness and relevance, and good structure, a very sound combination of zaniness and earnestness. It isn't as great as "The Gay Deceivers" (1969) though. How many movies are?