MovieChat Forums > Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Discussion > Nearly perfect comedy... one flawed scen...

Nearly perfect comedy... one flawed scene

posted 17 years ago by MyOpinionIsFact
7 replies | jump to latest

This is one of the best comedies of all time. Severely under-rated. I have seen it many times. There's only major flaw in the film, which is the super-glued hand to the wall gag. It just doesn't make sense. I don't know why it wasn't rewritten. Such a shame to have that blemish. The other minor complaint I have is the "welcome to hell" comment by the butler guy. The tone just isn't right for this movie.

I am the only one that hates the hand-glued-to-wall joke?

[–] AssCrow 17 years ago

I loved it, for the simple fact that the solvent is just out of his reach. Imagine being in that situation for 6 hours, with your salvation just a fingertip out of reach.

[–] transmentalist 16 years ago

If the OP is arguing that it's somehow out of place, I can see that possibility though I disagree. It was necessary for Freddie to pay some form of penance for exploiting the sailors, and we already know he can be ingratiating or even charming in his own way. The glue scene sets us up to think he's won them over (and he has, sort of), before the solvent punchline.

[–] Blowedian 16 years ago

I'm pretty sure the "Welcome to hell" comment was to imply that other con-men have tried to move in on his territory, just my thought

[–] Agent-69 16 years ago

100% disagree on both counts.

"Let's hear you call Boris Karloff a c_ocksucker."

[–] djb1203 15 years ago

the glue scene made sense to me. at first it looks like he got away with conning the sailors...then its revealed that he was stuck to the wall all night. lol. makes me laugh every time i see it. they obviously glued him to prevent him leaving so it served a plot purpose too.

[–] delt_ 15 years ago

For the superglue gag: i didn't really get it

For the "welcome to hell" quote: i thought it was pretty funny, imho it would have been even funnier if we just saw Steve's middle finger waved at him from the back of the car or something :D

[–] wainot 15 years ago

Agree that this is one of the best comedies of all time; certainly, it's one of my favorites.

The wall gag? Just okay - not a strength of the movie, but well enough realized.

"Welcome to hell"...kind of agree. Sort of a cheap comedy/trailer line for a movie that was pure comedy gold.