MovieChat Forums > The Odd Couple (1970) Discussion > The Timing between Klugman and Randall

The Timing between Klugman and Randall

posted 9 years ago by lonnieanixt
4 replies | jump to latest

There is a special aspect to all comedy teams, its something with the Timing, which comes from teamwork, They have tried and tried to remake the odd couple but it can't be done, because it wasn't the situation that was inherently funny, its the two men playing off each other, and the realism they bring to the show and the roles that makes it so special. Randall and Klugman exalted those characters, there was a superiority to Oscar and felix that comes from the two actors. i can also add, that Penny Marshall and Al Molinaro were perfect for their parts as well, they were weaker characters that let Klugman and Randall shine by playing off them in a exquisite contrast. If every man has a unique specialty , producer Gary Marshall's specialty was in casting, he built his characters around the actors, and not the other way around.

La Forza del destino Die Macht des Schicksals

[–] brendanchenowith 9 years ago

It was impeccable. I loved their facial expressions and Oscar's asides. You're right, it was all about what Klugman and Randall brought to the party. I watched one episode of the female and black Odd Couples and just gave up. Then this new CBS series you'd need a lobotomy to enjoy just doesn't cut it. Sure a prissy guy and a slob share a place, but just because you have these types of characters who go by the names Felix and Oscar doesn't mean they are Felix Unger and Oscar Madison....doesn't mean it's going to be any damn good.

It's sort of like what Lennon once said about a Beatles reunion - you'd put John, Paul and George on a record it doesn't mean it's the Beatles.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.

[–] spayer27 8 years ago

As I recall, after the show closed, there were reports that they hated each other. Or at least couldn't work together anymore.

[–] cind5 8 years ago

Read Klugman's book, " Tony and Me". You'll see they were the best of friends. They were 2 opposite personalities, but it worked and they got along.

Spenser with an "S", like the poet.

[–] [email protected] (5928) a year ago

Great book! I bought it last year.
Those two guys really knew how to play off each other. That type of chemistry is not made. It's just there! And so natural. They had that natural chemistry like Gleason and Carney. It can't be reproduced with other actors playing the roles. It's either there or not.