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The Frisco Kid

The Frisco Kid (1979)

July. 06,1979
|
6.3
|
PG
| Adventure Comedy Western

Rabbi Avram arrives in Philadelphia from Poland en route to San Francisco where he will be a congregation's new rabbi. An innocent and inexperienced traveller, he is tricked by con men to pay for the trip to go west, then they leave him and his belongings scattered along a deserted road. He is befriended by a stranger, Tommy, who is a bank robber and have many adventures during their journey.

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Reviews

Evengyny
1979/07/06

Thanks for the memories!

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VividSimon
1979/07/07

Simply Perfect

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ThedevilChoose
1979/07/08

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

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FirstWitch
1979/07/09

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

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abefl2
1979/07/10

This movie is a hidden gem. A classic for Jewish humor. The Amish greeting scene is priceless. The no riding on Shabbos is true and traditional. Wilder was brilliant not only with his expertise of Yiddish and convincing as a Rabbi, he had all the terms of the era. Lines like this is a good drink with the Indians. The dancing. The importance of the Torah. Harrison Ford was also very good. 1/4 Jewish he was typical of the uneducated but respectful of the Jewish Religion. He played the role convincingly. Classic line at the end who is going to pay for the drinks, take it out of the building fund. Sure there were some errors along the way, but the theme of the movie was right on and very clever. In summary this is one of the funniest Jewish Films I have ever seen.

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arieliondotcom
1979/07/11

Gene Wilder was born to play this role and he does it almost reverently. It is just superb, funny and touching and warm and suspenseful...the classic "I laughed, I cried, I worried...then I laughed again!" The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because there is a lot of unnecessary cursing. There is a certain humor from hearing the rabbi curse, and with an accent yet! But it gets old fast and disrespectful. And that keeps it from being a family film even the kids can enjoy.The other drawback is that Harrison Ford is awful. I think Ford is a great actor in later films, but while he's still in this "let's put him in a film because he was big in Star Wars" stage, not so much. And it's even more of a tragedy if the trivia is true that John Wayne could have played the part. The contrast between Wayne and Wilder would have made the West and this film...well, even Wilder! It is a wonderful, wonderful film. You'll find yourself humming happily in Hebrew for days afterward. All that and a happy ending? Oy Gevalt!

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dougmarshall_94142
1979/07/12

When "The Frisco Kid" first came out, people were expecting a Mel Brooks type of comedy, because Gene Wilder had been in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (and The Producers). And because of this the film wasn't appreciated as it should have been. Comedies don't have to be vulgar, they don't have to resort to toilet humor, unless that is the type of comedy that a film maker does best. Here is an example of a sweet story, which probably can tell you so much about being Jewish in a non-Jewish world than any other movie. Gene Wilder jumping off the cliff, yelling Sheeeee-it, and Harrison Ford following, yelling Oy Kavol! is one of moviedom's funniest moments.Gene Wilder telling Harrison Ford, "You are my best friend. You're my only friend!" one of the most honestly emotional moments. The chemistry between the two is magical. They should have done more. The DVD release has been long awaited.

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royscribe
1979/07/13

This is a lovely, lovely film. Besides just being funny, it is also heartfelt and even spiritual. It explores the cultural difference between a material, non-spiritual Wild West where the gun makes right, and the profoundly spiritual Judaic world of study and ethical behavior, where knowledge and piety make right. Both Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford are at their best in this one. This is a great road picture, where you definitely see the two protagonists influence each other. The only flaw is one scene where the rabbi's strict observance of the Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) endangers both their lives. Anyone with any Judaic knowledge would know the concept of "p'kuach nefesh" - the saving of a life - that allows even the most observant Jew to abrogate the laws of the Sabbath in order to protect or save a life. I saw this film many years ago, and can still remember whole scenes - that says it all right there. Enjoy!

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