Mr. Saturday Night
Buddy Young was the comic's comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes, it seems like everybody but Buddy realizes that he should retire. As Buddy looks for work in show business, he realizes that the rest of the world has forgotten the golden days of Buddy Young, and that there just may not be room in the business for an old comic like himself.
Critics Sentiment
Buddy becomes star with Saturday night show
Buddy goes into offensive tirade and quits
The film's most dramatic fall occurs when Buddy's Ed Sullivan Show disaster leads directly into his career-ending tirade, dropping from moderate disappointment to the film's lowest point
Critics found Mr. Saturday Night to be an ambitious but flawed drama that succeeds in its early comedy sequences and final redemptive moments but struggles with an unlikable protagonist in the middle sections. The film's emotional arc from childhood charm through career peak to devastating collapse and eventual reconciliation resonated with reviewers, though many wished Buddy remained more sympathetic throughout his self-destructive phase.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 68
Billy Crystal
Buddy Young Jr.
David Paymer
Stan
Julie Warner
Elaine
Helen Hunt
Annie Wells
Mary Mara
Susan
Jerry Orbach
Phil Gussman
Ron Silver
Larry Meyerson
Sage Allen
Mom
Jason Marsden
Buddy (Age 15)
Michael Weiner
Stan (Age 8)
Larry Gelman
Mr. Gimbel
Kay Freeman
Mrs. Gimbel
Howard Mann
Stage Manager
Julius Branca
Stage Manager
Liz Georges
Script Girl
Bill Wendell
Announcer
Hartley Haverty
Susan (Age 6)
Will Jordan
Ed Sullivan
Josh Byrne
Buddy (Age 6)
Ben Diskin
Stan (Age 9)
Crew
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