Directed by Michael Roemer • 1969 • United States
Starring Martin Priest, Ben Lang, Maxine Woods
A treasure of American independent filmmaking that was neglected for decades until its triumphant rediscovery, writer-director-producer Michael Roemer’s feature follow-up to his landmark NOTHING BUT A MAN is a wryly observed, delectably deadpan comedy set in the world of New York’s Jewish community and the small-time mobsters operating within it. After two decades behind bars, low-level racketeer Harry Plotnick (memorably cow-eyed Martin Priest) is released into a changed city he hardly recognizes. As he attempts to reconnect with his estranged family, he finds himself launched on a subtly surreal journey through an unfamiliar, middle-class world that seems to have no place for him.
Up Next in Fun City: NYC Woos Hollywood, Flirts with Disaster
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Bananas
Directed by Woody Allen • 1971 • United States
Starring Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos MontalbánWriter-director Woody Allen’s supremely silly third feature channels the absurdity of the Marx brothers for a side-splitting satire of Cold War politics and American imperialism. He stars as bumb...
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Norman Mailer vs. Fun City
Directed by Dick Fontaine • 1970 • United States
Writer and firebrand provocateur Norman Mailer, accompanied by rabble-rousing journalist Jimmy Breslin, takes to the streets of New York City in his colorful and ultimately failed 1969 run for New York City mayor.
