Play It Again, Sam (1972)

97% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(10,075 ratings)

Herbert Ross directed this adaptation of Woody Allen's hit Broadway play concerning a shy film critic who has trouble with women. Woody Allen plays Allan Felix, a writer for Film Quarterly consumed by movies, particularly his favorite film of all time, Casablanca. At the start of the film, Allan's… More Herbert Ross directed this adaptation of Woody Allen's hit Broadway play concerning a shy film critic who has trouble with women. Woody Allen plays Allan Felix, a writer for Film Quarterly consumed by movies, particularly his favorite film of all time, Casablanca. At the start of the film, Allan's wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) has just left him and is applying for a divorce. Unable to deal with this emotional turmoil, Allan seeks solace in the movies he loves, imagining Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) has dropped by his apartment to offer Allan advice on dealing with the ladies ("Dames are simple. I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth or a slug from a forty-five"). Helping Allan meet new women are his good friends Dick (Tony Roberts) and Linda Christie (Diane Keaton). Dick and Linda fix him up with a succession of dates, all of which end disastrously because of Allan's nervousness and insecurity. Finally, Allan realizes that he has been spending more time with Linda than anyone else and he is becoming attracted to her -- she's the only woman he truly feels comfortable around. Linda proves unexpectedly receptive to Allan's advances, since Dick's workaholic ways leave Linda neglected and ignored. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Herbert Ross
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 4, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Oct 23, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The cinephile's dilemma (i.e., the "watcher" versus the "doer"), with a nifty central gag
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Vintage Woody Allen.
Matthew Sorrento, IdentityTheory
Apart from its fantastic elements, Woody's script of Sam finds a deft blend of the comic and romantic.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
... an affable situation comedy focused on its characters and an extramarital romance that's no more tawdry than white wine served in a red-wine glass.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
Paramount's DVD release hands us a very good transfer from a clean print in its original 1.85:1 (anamorphic) aspect ratio. Audio is clean and free of distortion in DD 2.0 monaural.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Stagey Woody Allen film with Humphrey Bogart spectre for laughs.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
I was laughing so hard, it was difficult to breathe.
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus
Anyone who has anguished over whether to put on Bartok or Oscar Peterson to impress visitors should check this one out . . .
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's not bad, but Woody is definitely better at directing himself.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A neurotic film critic with an obsession with Bogart is divorced by his wife and so spends all of his time with friends who unsuccessfully try to set him up with a variety of women. A long, long time ago (we're talking geological time scales here), before he became a morally… More
A neurotic film critic with an obsession with Bogart is divorced by his wife and so spends all of his time with friends who unsuccessfully try to set him up with a variety of women. A long, long time ago (we're talking geological time scales here), before he became a morally suspect and unbearably pretentious narcissist, Woody Allen was a very funny man. Play It Again, Sam is easily his most charming and funny film in my opinion, using the simple premise of a terminally self-conscious guy who has to come to terms with the ups and downs of the dating scene while comparing the celluloid image of "masculinity" with its realities. Its genuinely witty script is full of really nicely observed comedy and very funny one liners and makes me wonder how it all went wrong. I really enjoyed this film and considering my personal loathing of the man, that's quite a statement.
moon r

Woody Allen in a film (based on his hit Broadway play) about a guy who loves film but cannot reconcile the differences between reel life and real life. His wife has just left him and he can't seem to get a break, but he does get advice - from film - well, from Bogie in… More
Woody Allen in a film (based on his hit Broadway play) about a guy who loves film but cannot reconcile the differences between reel life and real life. His wife has just left him and he can't seem to get a break, but he does get advice - from film - well, from Bogie in particular. If you've reviewed, say, 500 films on this site ... this film is for you.
Reid V

A great little Woody Allen gem. While a little over the top in some scenes, Allen displays an uncanny knack for physical humor. Not only did this movie provide some really hearty laughs, but it also gives us a glimpse into the powerful chemistry that Keaton & Allen have on screen… More
A great little Woody Allen gem. While a little over the top in some scenes, Allen displays an uncanny knack for physical humor. Not only did this movie provide some really hearty laughs, but it also gives us a glimpse into the powerful chemistry that Keaton & Allen have on screen and would utilize in future pictures. It also works as a beautiful love letter to film, an idea he would explore further in his own film The Purple Rose of Cairo. It is funny, affectionate, and an absolute joy to experience.
Jennifer X

This is such an early Woody Allen film yet it's one of the most polished. (Polished in the sense of a whole movie, not polished in the sense that it barely has any plot...not that it matters.) I was VERY impressed by this adaptation from the play too: it attains a very dynamic… More
This is such an early Woody Allen film yet it's one of the most polished. (Polished in the sense of a whole movie, not polished in the sense that it barely has any plot...not that it matters.) I was VERY impressed by this adaptation from the play too: it attains a very dynamic feel as it moves seamlessly from movie to real life and the Bogart fantasy scenes merge perfectly with Allan's real troubles. As a play it was probably one thing, but as a movie it flowed very organically from stage to screen. I don't think it explores the themes as in depth as it could have - it basically only grazes topics of affair ethics, and fantasy vs reality, and love, and hypochondria - but surface movies aren't all bad. A relaxing, light experience with heavy Woody characteristics. Also, love Diane Keaton's outfits.
Michael G

Funny. Like Woody Allen lite.
Hal M

Woody Allen's best pure film comedy. He did not direct it, F.Y.I., but wrote the play it's based on, and stars in it. Allen resonates so well with co-stars Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts that he recruits them for several of his later films.
Marcus W

Here Woody Allen remakes Casablanca Woody Allen style...so he plays a neurotic film buff who falls in love with his best friends wife. An imaginary Bogart is on hand to give advice, and the script is typically Allen. How much you'll enjoy it depends on how much you like Woody… More
Here Woody Allen remakes Casablanca Woody Allen style...so he plays a neurotic film buff who falls in love with his best friends wife. An imaginary Bogart is on hand to give advice, and the script is typically Allen. How much you'll enjoy it depends on how much you like Woody Allen.
Marion R

I was okay, not being a fan of Casablanca might have turn me off initially