PIC of the Week – Cold Turkey
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Once more, I dig into the vaults of the ’70s and this time pull out an obscure comedy. Olive Films hands over a Blu of the little known comedy, Cold Turkey, starring Dick Van Dyke as the Reverend Clayton Brooks, and a host of great character actors including Bob Newhart, Barnard Hughes, Vincent Gardenia, and Jean Stapleton. Director/writer Norman Lear was famous for TV comedy from the early ’60s to the late ’70s with giant hits like All in the Family, Maude, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. But, his directorial debut as a feature filmmaker with a very funny situational comedy did not garner the audience enthusiasm that was afforded Mel Brooks and Woody Allen at the time. That’s a shame, because Cold Turkey is a delightful satire.
An advertising executive, played wonderfully by Bob Newhart, talks the Valiant Tobacco Company into a wild idea for the potential of great PR: challenge an entire town or city to quit smoking “cold turkey” for thirty days, and if successful, they win $25,000,000. A small town in Iowa, Eagle Rock, accepts the offer, but not without its challenges. Number one being the company’s PR man is out to sabotage the whole contest. With dastardly deeds afoot, a media frenzy, and people’s nerves frayed from lack of tobacco, director/writer Lear keeps the laughs at a congenial pace.
The film was made at the height of our Nation’s obsession with cigarettes. People smoking one or two packs a day was considered the norm. Back in the day, it was a horrible struggle to “kick” the Nicotine habit. Norman Lear focuses on many issues of that era and gets great use of his talented cast. But, when watching this film you have to realize it’s over fifty years old, and some of the humor is very broad, along with the characterizations. But, if you’re like me, and appreciate the golden oldie antics of the wonderful Dick Van Dyke, best known for his popular TV show (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Mary Poppins, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, then you will enjoy the struggles of the community of Eagle Rock and its Reverend.
Olive Films is a small independent company that is best known for the release of such obscure films as the underground cult blaxploitation hit Hell Up in Harlem, John G. Avildsen’s Joe, and the unusual romantic comedy A New Leaf starring Walter Matthau and Elaine May. This may not benefit the average public, but it sure makes us cinephiles happy. The drawback is that the company is not big on supplemental material. The film is presented in its original 1.85:1 presentation. The transfer is a clean 1080p picture with little to complain about. It’s the best this film has ever looked. The sound is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, and the film does come with subtitles. The lack of extras may have some reconsider, but this is one comedy that can be enjoyed by many and is worth repeated viewings – especially for one quick scene which, to this day, remains freckin’ hysterical.
Best Price: It’s a tie – Walmart and Amazon – Blu-ray – $16.45
