The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Director: Melvin Frank Melvin Frank

Overview

A lesser but still entertaining Neil Simon work, +The Prisoner of Second Avenue was adapted to film in 1974. Jack Lemmon takes over the role played on Broadway by Peter Falk: Mel is a New York-based advertising man who goes through hell when he loses his job. The gods seem to conspire against him as he tries to cope with his unemployed status; he is particularly depressed over the fact that he must now subsist on the income of his wife (Anne Bancroft). There are laughs in The Prisoner of Second Avenue, but it's the laughter of desperation and despair; it might not be advisable to watch this film after a bad day at the office. Watch for Sylvester Stallone as the "human punch line" of an old urban legend about a pickpocket.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/14/2019
UPC:	0883929682225
Original Release:	1975
Rating:	PG
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	6,590

Special Features

Dinah! Segment Featuring Anne Bancroft and a Gag Reel; Vintage featurette: The Making of The Prisoner of Second Avenue; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jack Lemmon	Mel Edison
Anne Bancroft	Edna Edison
Gene Saks	Harry Edison
Elizabeth Wilson	Pauline
Florence Stanley	Pearl
Maxine Stuart	Belle
Ed Peck	Man Upstairs
Gene Blakely	Charlie
Ivor Francis	Psychiatrist
Stack Pierce	Detective
Sylvester Stallone	Youth in Park
F. Abraham	Actor
M. Walsh	Actor
Marvin Hamlisch	Composer

Technical Credits

Neil Simon

Melvin Frank	Director,Producer
Neil Simon	Screenwriter
Tex Rudloff	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is a good film that frustratingly falls short of being a great film. Praise and blame both must go to Neil Simon, whose screenplay adaptation of his hit play is responsible for much of what is good in the film but also for that which keeps it from really hitting the mark. The problem, of course, is that Simon is attempting to mix comedy and drama (almost tragedy) in this film. This is a difficult combination in any circumstances, but Simon seems to have an especially difficult time of it whenever he makes this attempt; there simply is something about Simon's style that tends to keep the two from melding the way he intends. Nevertheless, there are some undeniably hilarious sequences here, as well as some powerful dramatic moments; if the two never quite blend, they still make for some very strong segments. Prisoner is fortunately blessed with two dynamic performances from Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft. Lemmon is always at his best when put upon and provoked, and he is given plenty to work with here. His intense anger and frustration are vivid and real, yet he also finds the humor in the bitter invective he often spews. Bancroft is a marvel, grounding Lemmon and giving him plenty to play off of, yet still creating a well-defined character with her own tics and warts. If Prisoner doesn't quite satisfy as a piece of writing, it does provide two excellent actors with a showcase for their abundant talents.