Norman... Is That You? (1976)

Sadly Over-hyped

A lot of fun.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

'Norman... is that You', was popular on the dinner theater circuit in the '70's. It was strangely written by Sam Bobrick earlier of 'The Andy Griffith Show' then later created 'Save By the Bell'. This inspired casting by big time TV producer George Schlatter had Redd Foxx. I saw this when I was stationed at a remote site and they would send us one movie a week (before video, and it was like in 'MASH' except without any women). Everybody was looking forward to a raunchy Redd Foxx comedy and when it started every black guy walked out. The rest of us laughed our butts off at this funny, bawdy comedy. 'Madame' who became a TV star on 'Solid Gold' was the foul mouth older temptress and Pearl Bailey in limited screen time was Redd's wife and foil. With Redd Foxx trying to understand why his son has become gay (not Stephen Foster)the black guys in the original screening had to wait 40 years to accept black gay men on the screen, 'Empire', that's to bad. This is a very funny coming of age movie, and only for those who don't offend easily.

This movie was extremely funny, I would like to own this for my vintage collection of 1970s movie must see again list, I know this cast of characters ,they are people that I have met over the years and that prompt me to search out this comedy, unfortunately this was never put to DVD or VHS. Redd Foxx always a clown of comedy, Pearl Baily a great match as his wife witty and sassy, Norman a son with a secret not sure if he will have a future if it is out,Dennis Dugan crazy funny man . Miss Dobson hooker with a heart and little conscience. Love,lust,strange family ties this movie qualifies for a come back encore performance ,situation comedy with a mix of events as this could and should find its way as a remake, I do think finding cast would be extremely difficult maybe impossible,except Jerry Seinfeld playing Dennis Dugan role, this earmarks a couple of Seinfeld episodes that also brought me back to Norman is that you ,keeping them in the closest was surely impossible as impossible to reform pretend hooker girl friend and infidelity of a parent. This movie was a wild ride advise of a cabbie, remind me of episode Kramer takes advice of his caddie over his lawyer. ( episode from Seinfeld ) The parents have there jaw dropping moment, fun over fun It is screaming bring me back .

I saw it so many years ago I remember less than I should. But I do remember liking its light-heartedness and relevance, and good structure, a very sound combination of zaniness and earnestness. It isn't as great as "The Gay Deceivers" (1969) though. How many movies are?

Norman Is That You has a very good and funny cast. I'm a big fan of redd foxx very big fan and i just loved the movie. it is laugh out loud funny. i have the movie its the best! posted by jeremy i'm 13 years old too!