The Ritz (1976)

But this only the first ten or fifteen minutes of the film: there is much, much more to come, and all of it is over the top hilarious. Jack Weston, Jerry Stiller, and Kaye Ballard are perfectly cast in their roles, but would you believe F. Murray Abraham (Oscar winner for AMADEUS) as the screaming queen to end all screaming queens? How about Rita Moreno as a no-talent lounge singer who is busting a gut to become a bath-house star just like Bette Midler? Or Treat Williams as a P.I. with blonde hair and a squeaky voice? My own favorite of the bunch is Paolo Poeti as Claude, a "chubby chaser" who takes one look at Jack Weston and falls in love at first sight--and then proceeds to make his life absolute hell by chasing him all over the bath house. Before it's all over you'll find people hiding under beds, thrown into swimming pools, impersonating the Andrews Sisters, and being pursued by unwanted lovers of the wrong persuasion, all to absolutely hilarious, incredibly giddy effect.

Like most farces, THE RITZ deals in stereotypes--but it is never mean spirited in its portraits, and the cast carries off the eccentric characters (both straight and gay) with considerable aplomb. Filmed long before the AIDS crisis, THE RITZ offers a comic look at a New York gay bath house and a way of life that would soon come to a grinding halt--a fact that gives the film a certain unintended poignancy for gay viewers. Even so, you don't need any specialized background to enjoy this laugh-out-loud movie, which is as much (and really more) for a straight audience as it is for a gay one. Highly, highly recommended... call over some friends, turn up the steam heat, break out some bath towels, and get ready for a true laugh riot.


Lotsa Laughs!   June 22, 2002
DonMac (Lynn, MA United States)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

A comic reflection of a time period sure not to return. Moreno is hysterical as are Ballard and Weston. Definitely worth watching and good for many laughs. There is also a certain melancholy to it now given what came of these bathhouses and their denizens. For those who lived through this it certainly triggers some memories.


Noises Off in a Gay Bathhouse   August 25, 2001
T. Halkin (Munich, Germany)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

A well crafted, door-slamming comedy ala 'Noises Off' with a wonderful cast. Rita Moreno playing a no-talent bathhouse singer gives the performance of her lifetime (we all know how talented she really is, so seeing her 'off' is a lot of fun). Treat Williams is delicious as the soprano detective. Jack Weston, Paul B. Price, F. Murray Abraham, Kay Ballard and Jerry Stiller add their spices to this wonderful ensemble. It makes you wish that the days of the Continental Baths would come back'at least the wonderfully tacky shows at poolside!


One of the rare movies I play OVER and OVER!   December 31, 2003
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is one of those movies that I play over and over for friends and those who have never heard of it.... and they LOVE it. I can't say more than is already said by other reviewers.... you just HAVE to see it and you will know what we all mean. IT'S a real treasure!!


The Height of 70's Comedy   October 21, 2004
James Young (Federal Way, WA United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This very dated movie (which makes it even funnier) is an absolute joy to watch. Treat Williams is chock full o' buttery goodness (at least how he looks, not how he talks) is rookie detective Michael Brick, hired to find Gaetano Proclo (Jack Weston) - the brother-in-law to Carmine Vespucci (Jerry Stiller). Using a gay bath house as a hide out, Gaetano spends an evening with the screaming queen Chris (F. Murray Abraham who steals the movie), the smitten chubby-chaser (Paul B. Price), the ambitious lounge singer (Rita Moreno - who Gaetano believes to be a drag queen), his high-strung wife (Kaye Ballard) and the oddest man with Clint Eastwood glint in his eyes, wearing chaps (Peter Butterworth). Best line in the movie is by F. Murray Abraham who, when he tries to strike up a conversation with a less-than-enthusiastic target, exlaims "Margaret Dumont! We thought you were dead!". WHEN WILL THIS BE ON DVD? C'mon folks..this is a classic.
Look for a few scenes with John Ratzenberger - "Cliff" from the TV show "Cheers".