TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

US, 1969, 85 minutes, Colour.
Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, Marcel Hillaire.
Directed by Woody Allen.

Take The Money And Run is the first of the films that Woody Allen directed and through which made a great reputation for himself in the 70s. It is a small film but a very successful use of robbery conventions for parody and satire purposes. Woody Allen emerged during the 70s as one of America's greatest comedians with such films as Bananas, Sleeper, Love and Death, Annie Hall. Up to this film he had written some stage plays, especially Play It Again Sam. He had also written What's New Pussycat, What's Up Tiger Lily. He was the main James Bond figure in the spoof Casino Royale. This film is a variation on the little man hero (the little man villain) and the film makes funny comment on the American way of life, ambitions, gently satirising documentaries, experts, robberies. A good laugh clears the air and if there is a lot wrong with the American there are healthy signs of self criticism and the ability to laugh at oneself.

1. The success of Woody Allen?

2. The characteristics of his humour and personality? The little man, bald and with glasses, his reacting to people, his being forgotten? His insight into life and situations? His shyness? The incongruities of his verbal humour? Firmly American. his comment on the American way of life? The quality of his visual and verbal humour?

3. The title and its focus on robbery? Its parody of gangster biography films? Its parody of the interviews and documentaries? The parody of prison films. of the chain gangs and their escape ? The parody of the American romance? The parody of the film robberies? How well conceived and executed were these parodies? How much did they contribute to the enjoyment of the film?

4. The skill of the screenplay. for example, the opening descriptions of Virgil's way of life. the file on Virgil? The development of his character? The chorus of the interview with his parents? With doctors. the warden. admirers etc.? What kind of character emerged from this? The poor American boy, in the atmosphere of all America. his cello playing etc.? The implied inevitability of becoming a gangster?

5. The humour in the visualising of the robberies? The snatch. the handbag with the toys, the discussion about the spelling of 'gun'. the robbery of the pet shop? The final robbery where the two gangs arrive at the one time?

6. How genuine and feeling was the romance with Louise? Her character and sweetness. her stammer, her being given lines like Woody Allen's? Her visiting Him in prison. being on the run, the child?

7. The most memorable gags and jokes?

8. The visualizing of the escape with the soap gun and its raining, the various attempts to murder Miss Blair etc.?

9. What is the value of parody and satire. for laughter and insight? The comedy of human foibles?