Search - The King of Comedy on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children Movie Release: 1983 DVD Release: 12/17/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 49 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Comedy, Black Comedy, Showbiz Comedy

Martin Scorsese's satirical comedy/drama caustically explores the lengths to which a nobody will go to be as famous as his idol. Practicing his patter in his basement with cardboard cut-outs of his favorite celebrities, mediocre aspiring comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) believes that one appearance on the evening talk show of the Johnny Carson-esque Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) will be his ticket to stardom. After he helps Jerry escape the advances of amorous fan Masha (Sandra Bernhard), Rupert takes Jerry's patronizing brush-off as a true promise for an audition and begins haunting Jerry's office. Provoked by Masha's needling and a rejection from Jerry's smooth production exec Cathy Long (Shelley Hack), Rupert makes a disastrous trip to Jerry's country house with embarrassed date Rita (Diahnne Abbott), then hatches an even more outlandish scheme to get ahead. With Masha's help, Rupert kidnaps Jerry and demands as ransom the TV appearance that he believes will turn his fantasy into reality. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Robert De Niro - Rupert Pupkin
Jerry Lewis - Jerry Langford
Diahnne Abbott - Rita
Sandra Bernhard - Marsha
Shelley Hack - Cathy

Martin Scorsese's little seen but outstanding The King of Comedy finally makes it's way to DVD, which will surely please the director's fans. Though this disc could have been so much better, what is offered isn't too bad. The image, framed at 1.85:1 and anamorphic, isn't the best out there. It's certainly superior to the other video formats in the past, but still, the picture lacks real detail and the colors aren't particularly strong. Part of this is due to the visual style of the film, but also in the transfer used. What can be said for the sound? The English stereo Dolby Digital track lacks any significant punch but still suits this film fine. Dialogue is generally clear and distortion free, which is all that really would be hoped for. As for extras, the only one of significance is a featurette called "A Shot at the Top" which runs about 18 minutes long. It's made up with as many scenes from the movie as interviews with the only two participants, Scorsese and actress Sandra Bernhard. Also included are 33 images of behind the scene shots and straightforward stills from the film, a very effective theatrical trailer, and a less-effective Canadian TV spot. Finally, there is one deleted scene which is already covered in the featurette and a long version of "Jerry Langford's" (played by Jerry Lewis) full late show monologue, which is only so funny. A commentary on this dark comedy from Scorsese would have been a wonderful addition, but sadly isn't the case. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide