Play it Again, Sam (Herbert Ross, 1972)
Director - Herbert Ross
Screenplay - Woody Allen
Genre
Before, Play it Again, Sam, Allen's films had been praised for their laughs and their
unconventional styles: Take the Money and Run (1969) was made like a fakedocumentary and Bananas (1971) was a political send-up. Some viewers criticized
director Herbert Ross for the way he had directed Play it Again, Sam saying he had
turned it into a more conventional romantic comedy.
List some of the elements in the film that place Play It Again, Sam in the conventional
romantic comedy genre.
Then identify some of the elements that challenge this and make the film more than
just a comedy. (Consider, for example, the relationship between Allan and Linda [the
wife of his best friend], and how Dick is so caught up in his work that he is neglecting
his wife.)
Technical Codes
Describe the effectiveness of the camera (angle, distance and movement) in the
scene when Allan and Dick walk through the bay-side restaurant. Why do you think
the end of the scene, where Allan asks the girl to go to dinner, took 37 takes?
Cultural Codes
Compare and contrast the character of Allan and his hero, Bogart. How is our
perception of Allan as neurotic, insecure failure with women “anchored”?
Point of view
How does Ross establish our identification with Allan in the opening scenes?
Value messages
Up until seduction scene between Allan and Linda, the audience can easily sympathise
with Allan. Normally, if a character were seducing his best friend’s wife the audience
would not view him with much sympathy.
How does Ross retain the audience sympathy for Allan?
Play It Again, Sam
G Gibson 2015