The Ritz

R

Released Aug 12, 1976

1h 31m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

List

67%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

A tubby Ohio garbageman (Jack Weston) flees from his hit-man brother-in-law (Jerry Stiller) to a gay Turkish bath in Manhattan.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The Ritz never quite succeeds. Its ambition is clearly to be a screwball comedy in the tradition of the 1930s classics and such recent attempts as What's Up, Doc? and Silent Movie. But it lacks the manic pacing, and the material grows thin

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Rita Moreno traipses over the defiled..,.This, ladies and gentlemen, is an artistic event, that is not often seen in theaters, or on stage: this is creation. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 14, 2023

Full Review

Tom Steele

Gay Community News (Boston)

The Ritz is a film which explores the farcial possibilities of collisions between gays and straights. To enjoy it, you must not expect anything more -- or less -- than good farce.

May 10, 2022

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Funny in spots but disappointing as a whole.

Rated: B-

Jan 6, 2021

Full Review

Ruth Batchelor

Los Angeles Free Press

The Ritz ia hilariously funny comedy. Brilliantly written, directed and acted.

Oct 29, 2019

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Fernando Trueba

El Pais (Spain)

Despite its flaws, Richard Lester's mise-en-scène is impeccable and his way of directing actors is traditional and effective. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 31, 2019

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Alec B

The movie does have some good moments (Moreno's song scenes) and performances (F. Murray Abraham is on another level here). I think the problem is the screenplay which is structured well but just isn't written with the kind of comedic dialogue needed to empower the manic energy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 31 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The movie does have some good moments (Moreno's song scenes) and performances (F. Murray Abraham is on another level here). I think the problem is the screenplay which is structured well but just isn't written with the kind of comedic dialogue needed to empower the manic energy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you like Richard Lester movies, you can appreciate "The Ritz." That's about it If you rate it objectively on cast and script, you may find it average or slightly above average. If the thematic material annoys you because it lacks "woke" status, then you live in the other universe.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

steve d

None of it is the least bit entertaining.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Horrid. terrible. waste of 2hrs

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Richard Lester

Director

Jack Weston

Gaetano Proclo

Rita Moreno

Googie Gomez

Jerry Stiller

Carmine Vespucci

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Synopsis

A tubby Ohio garbageman (Jack Weston) flees from his hit-man brother-in-law (Jerry Stiller) to a gay Turkish bath in Manhattan.

Director: Richard Lester
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 31m

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