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The One and Only

Play trailer Poster for The One and Only PG Released Feb 3, 1978 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
A would-be actor (Henry Winkler) brings his girlfriend (Kim Darby) to 1950s New York and becomes a garish pro wrestler.
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The One and Only

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Vincent Canby New York Times An attempt to make a heart-warming comedy about a fellow who, in the film's own terms, is an arrogant boob. Aug 31, 2021 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune "The One and Only" is really two stories at odds with each other. Rated: 2/4 Aug 31, 2021 Full Review Geoff Brown Time Out If only the madcap strain had been strengthened, the film might have achieved more momentum; as it is, with good performances all round, it's pleasant but so-so. Aug 31, 2021 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) As a vehicle for Winkler, The One and Only doesn't grant large opportunities to the rest of the cast. The direction by Carl Reiner is nothing more than a collection of sketches, almost TV like. [Full review in Spanish] Jan 18, 2024 Full Review Stanley Eichelbaum San Francisco Examiner [A] silly, old-fashioned comedy directed with canny relish by Carl Reiner. Rated: 3/4 Aug 31, 2021 Full Review Bernard Drew Gannett News Service Winkler is excellent In the lead, Darby properly subdued and adoring as the wife, William Daniels and Polly Holiday exactly right as the Ohio parents, and Villechaize, Harold Gould and Charles Frank good in lesser roles. Nov 1, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
Amos H Great little movie. Henry Winkler does so much with an average movie. His sidekicks are hilarious. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Henry Winkler is the one and only...wrestler of his kind directed by Carl Reiner Winkler stars as Andy Schmidt who's convinced he's a very talented actor and he meets Mary Crawford at college in the 1950s He wants to marry her quick before he become too famous Andy wants to pursue fame and fortune despite being out of work Maybe what's inside him is too good to control, Mary thinks he's quite insecure and that everything is an act Andy is sad and funny which Mary finds interesting He's eccentric yet passionate going the extra mile He never gets scared but she's afraid to lose him Later they both go to NYC And he becomes a pro wrestler but can he keep up the act alone? Andy faces money issues, acting gigs, and being able to support his wife A change can happen quite fast in someone who's dedicated This might be too much of a safe, schmaltzy comedy but Winkler is very dedicated especially with the flamboyancy Still pleasant showing how much of an actor can commit to a role that's not entirely for him Give it this; it's funny, sad, a little dirty, and a bit prophetic, the type of film that simply cannot be categorized Yet all the performances are wonderful from everyone Winkler gets a kick out of this big time Silly yes but remains a kind love story at the center Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Annoying cheesy lead character and soundtrack and the film is almost unwatchable because of this. Winkler is like Billy Crystal turned up to 11. The movie is based on the life of Gorgeous George who was, perhaps, the greatest wrestler of all time. He deserved a better biopic. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Even though Henry Winkler is sorta a flake in The One & Only it is charming as a man who believes in his thespian talents who gets the girl & only wants to take New York by storm. The only problem is that he isn't a realist that actors are a dime a dozen & those producing & directing don't want to hear his two cent interpretations. This leads him into the life of professional wrestling that @ the time had absolutely no respect. It's pretty bitter sweet but fame is to be found as wrestling finds a life on TV & Winkler becomes the star that he always craved to be & in the end is able to have it all w/ a family life as well. A true diamond in the rough especially as far & wrestling movies go Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Why you might ask would I ever watch this. Well I'm a sucker for a wrestling movie. I found this in the net Flicks listings and said what the heck. Well this was a tale of two movies. The first part showed the relationship build up between Winkler and Darby . Let me tell you this was painful to watch. Really painful ! The second half was Winkler getting into wrestling this was interesting enough. But this leads you to believe it is a wrestling movie and while in time it is , it is just not worth the time to get to. I gave it 2 out of 5 stars for the wrestling aspect and 0 stars for the rest of this Gods awful movie. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Boring, but with some good parts. Henry Winkler is funny sometimes but also comes off too aggressively sometimes. Overall, good for cable at best. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The One and Only

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Cast & Crew

Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood 14% 50% Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Watchlist Sextette 25% 32% Sextette Watchlist Harry and Walter Go to New York 50% 32% Harry and Walter Go to New York Watchlist Hearts of the West 90% 42% Hearts of the West Watchlist The Gumball Rally 29% 65% The Gumball Rally Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A would-be actor (Henry Winkler) brings his girlfriend (Kim Darby) to 1950s New York and becomes a garish pro wrestler.
Director
Carl Reiner
Producer
Steve Gordon, David V. Picker
Screenwriter
Steve Gordon
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
First Artists
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 3, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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