Although Woody Allen wrote and starred in "Play It Again, Sam" (1972), he did not direct it. That job was given to Herbert Ross. It was an early stage in Allen's filmmaking career and his best known efforts at that time were slapstick in nature, so he was not fully trusted with complete artistic control. Nevertheless, the film stands out as the first in a series of Allen films in a similar vein... in which he is a hopeless romantic failure. It is the first pairing of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, who formed a long lasting creative partnership. It also resonates as Woody Allen's remarkably beautiful homage to one of the greatest films ever made... Casablanca.
Woody Allen stars as Allen Felix, a writer for a film magazine, whose wife has just left him. Depressed, bewildered and befuddled, he is need of a new companion. Strangely enough, his most vocal wing man is the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, who gives him tips on how to score with the ladies...
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| Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen |
His married friends, Dick and Linda, also try to help by setting him up on a series of dates... all of which end in hilarious disaster...
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| Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen |
Through their friendship, Allen realizes that his true affections rest with Linda, his best friend's wife. More confusion occurs when it is discovered that Linda has feelings for him as well...
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| Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen |
How can he reconcile his feelings and do what is best for all involved?
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| Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen |
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| Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen |
