The Comic is a 1969 drama/black comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Carl Reiner. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Billy Bright (the original title).
Billy Bright (Dick Van Dyke), a silent-era film comedian, narrates this film which begins at his character's funeral and tells his life story in flashbacks. At the funeral his sidekick Cockeye (Mickey Rooney) honors his last request by hitting the preacher in the face with a pie.
Bright was ...
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The Comic is a 1969 drama/black comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Carl Reiner. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Billy Bright (the original title).
Billy Bright (Dick Van Dyke), a silent-era film comedian, narrates this film which begins at his character's funeral and tells his life story in flashbacks. At the funeral his sidekick Cockeye (Mickey Rooney) honors his last request by hitting the preacher in the face with a pie.
Bright was a popular silent picture comedian in the era of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. He has difficulty making the transition to talkies, and sinks into despair and alcoholism. Bright's wife Mary (Michele Lee) becomes alienated by his drunk and abusive behavior.
Steve Allen (as himself) revives Bright's career towards the end of his life.
In his autobiography, Carl Reiner said he intended this as a vehicle for Dick Van Dyke who had, on the set of their TV show, often expressed the wish that he had been working at the same time as...
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