THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY'S

US, 1968, 99 Minutes, Colour.
Jason Robards, Britt Ekland, Bert Lahr, Norman Wisdom, Forrest Tucker, Eliot Gould, Harry Andrews, Denholm Elliot.
Directed by William Friedkin.

The Night they Raided Minsky's is an entertaining glance back at the vulgar days of burlesque, Samuel Johnson rightly said that distance lends enchantment to the view and, while we might not have patronised Minsky's, with its corny jokes, gag routines and its odd collection of vibrating chorus girls, we can look back and laugh, 'those were the days'. The film continually blends black and white film, 1920's style, with colour; this keeps the historical emphasis before us. So do Norman Wisdom's explanations and acting of burlesque comedy. Well acted, with an interest in the people of those days, the film ends on a sad note. It is enjoyable adult comedy.

1. The quality of the film, its appeal, enjoyment value?

2. The importance of the atmosphere, the American theatrical past, New York? Light nostalgia? The importance of the opening commentary and description of what was to follow? The nostalgic collage of so much film of the 20s? The humorous irony of films of the silent era commenting on the behaviour of the characters throughout the film?

3. The introduction with Spats and Rachel and the audience making their way through this collage of New York in the 20s towards Minsky's theatre? The effect of identifying with the characters, their search for the theatre and introduction to it? The atmosphere of the credits, the emphasis of the title later in the credits? The nostalgic and quiet music during the credits and the ending in contrast with the music throughout the film? The filmmaker's comment on the memories of this period?

4. What did the film have to say about the world of burlesque? The style of comedy, Chic's explanation to Rachel and his illustrating it with various comedy routines? Burlesque jokes, the girls, the introduction of the girls, lowbrow humour, double meaning? The audience that it drew? Their expectations, their enjoyment? The importance of the film's focus on the audience enjoying itself?

5. Raymond and Chic in the world of burlesque? Their routines, the girls in their acts, the 'half an hour' routine, the 'gentlemen' routine and the reprise of this song throughout the film? The humorous routines, the jokes? How well did the screenplay punctuate itself with various burlesque routines and humour? An again the audience?

6. Minsky and his running of the theatre, his preoccupation with money, the show going on? His relationship with his father? Lewis Minsky and his disapproval of burlesque, his arguments about the money? The importance about Minsky senior encountering the elder, their discussions, his attack on the elder's attitudes, their praying together?

7. Rachel as the focus of the film? Her arrival in New York and eagerness to find Minsky's and the dancer? Her Amish background, the fact that she ran away, her train trip? A strong character? Her eagerness, enjoyment of the burlesque routines, the encounter with Raymond and allowing herself to be seduced? Her discussion about sex and pleasure? The routine in Raymond's room and the dancing and the bed and the different music (and the comments on her behaviour from silent film routines and the irony of this?) The encounter with Tripp, at the speakeasy, her participation in the burlesque acts? Her biblical dancing, her looking forward to being Mademoiselle Fifi? Her defiance of Raymond, of her father? Her nervousness, the response of the audience, her playing up to them, the development of the striptease, the humour of her baring her breasts? A symbol of American innocence, naivety, shrewdness, enjoyment? The hit at American puritanical values?

8. Vance Fowler and his making notes, his arranging the raid, his looking at the book of Mademoiselle Fifi? His being made to look foolish? Did he deserve such ridicule?

9. The attitude of the elder, his thunderous voice, search for his daughter, disowning her, praying with Minsky senior? His presence at the end and aiding the striptease? The humour of his final arrest?

10. Raymond as the hero-type, yet the casual bounder? His change of attitude after his failure in seducing Rachel? The reason for his opting out at the end? His harsh attitudes towards Chic? Chic as the stooge? Assisting Raymond, introducing him at the cafe, supporting him in the acts, standing up for Rachel? The humour of his routines? A genuine burlesque artist? Tripp as the gangster-type and his taking over?

11. Comment on the comic routines both on stage and throughout the film? The light touch of the film?

12. The importance of the editing, the fast pace, colour and locations, the variety of music?

13. The build up to the striptease, Rachel's responding to the audience, the pandemonium of the raid, the irony of the arrests? And yet the final nostalgic summing up of the passing of burlesque and the burlesque theatres? What had passed? what was left?

14. How valid is the nostalgia for this period, its entertainment, its values? How does it contrast with the attitudes of the modern world?