Enter Laughing

1967

1h 52m

Comedy

List

50%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

38%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In this film based on the life of director Carl Reiner, a young Depression-era New Yorker, David Kolowitz (Reni Santoni), decides to pursue an acting career against the wishes of his parents (Shelley Winters, David Opatoshu) and girlfriend (Janet Margolin). He manages to land a nonpaying role in an off-Broadway show directed by the over-the-hill Harrison B. Marlowe (Jose Ferrer). Despite his lack of experience, David sets out to prove he has what it takes to make it in showbiz.

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TIME Magazine

Reiner has directed a film version that sticks closely to the words of the play but destroys much of its sly insight into the dawning of awareness in darkest Bronx.

Jul 28, 2008

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

An uneven film.

Rated: 2/5

May 9, 2005

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

A low-pressure, quietly amusing story based on Carl Reiner's entry into show business.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

Classic film buffs may get a kick out of Ferrer’s larger-than-life cliche and May’s naive turn as an “I wanna be a man-eater, I think” stage star. But there isn’t much else here that causes “laughing.”

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 29, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...suffers from a hopelessly (and aggressively) padded-out feel...

Rated: 2/4

May 13, 2021

Full Review

Wilfrid Sheed

Esquire Magazine

A genuine New York City movie in a New Jersey world.

Feb 6, 2020

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Audience Member

Having some knowledge of theater, I was in stitches. Great cast, good laughs.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Reiner has directed a film version that sticks closely to the words of the play but destroys much of its sly insight into the dawning of awareness in darkest Bronx.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A book written by Carl Reiner was then turner into a play, Carl Reiner then adapted and directed that play into this movie. And the results are... Uninspired. Not without one or two good bits, but Enter Laughing really feels stage bound and suffers as a result. Sorry Carl I <3 U!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A gentle comedy with some wonderful scenes, based on Carl Reiner's adventures in theater. Elaine May is hilarious, as is Jose Ferrer.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Carl Reiner

Director

José Ferrer

Harrison B. Marlowe

Shelley Winters

Mrs. Emma Kolowitz

Reni Santoni

David Kolowitz

Elaine May

Angela Marlowe

Jack Gilford

Mr. Foreman

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Synopsis

In this film based on the life of director Carl Reiner, a young Depression-era New Yorker, David Kolowitz (Reni Santoni), decides to pursue an acting career against the wishes of his parents (Shelley Winters, David Opatoshu) and girlfriend (Janet Margolin). He manages to land a nonpaying role in an off-Broadway show directed by the over-the-hill Harrison B. Marlowe (Jose Ferrer). Despite his lack of experience, David sets out to prove he has what it takes to make it in showbiz.

Director: Carl Reiner
Producer: Carl Reiner, Joseph Stein
Screenwriter: Joseph Stein, Carl Reiner
Production Co: Columbia
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 52m