Radio Days (1987)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  While not one of his better films, Allen's playful reverence of this bygone era will most likely leave you with a smile on your face.

• Chris W

  
  This is such a wonderful film. This is basically a plotless jorney taking a fond look back at a childhood in Queens during the early 1940s, told as a series of vignettes held together by radio programming. Research tells me that this is Allen's take on Amarcord. I have not seen… More
  This is such a wonderful film. This is basically a plotless jorney taking a fond look back at a childhood in Queens during the early 1940s, told as a series of vignettes held together by radio programming. Research tells me that this is Allen's take on Amarcord. I have not seen that film..yet (and I might)...but regardless, this is just a really nice and unique way to tell a story. It actually reminded me a great deal of A Christmas Story (they have many similarities), except that one actually did have a plot to it. This is more like free form reminiscing. Not only is Allen's childhood looked at (fictionalized, of course), but the lives of the radio personalities he is enamored with are also looked it. This is really sweet, and warm, and nostalgic, but it's not overly sentimental or corny. I also thoguht this was just really funny...sometimes even hysterical. No matter your feelings of Allen, his personal life, or his persona, you really can't deny the fact that he's just a terrific story teller. The ensemble cast is full of notable names (young Seth Green is great), even if lots of them are just cameos (William H. Macy!), and they all do a really good job. I'm not from the era this story focuses on, but it still made me feel warm and nostalgic anyway. It makes me wish that modern times have the chance of being remembered in the way that the 40s are here. The music is superb, the look and camera work are gorgeous, and the general style and technique are astounding. Do yourself a favor and check this one out- it's quite a special gem.

• Tony G

  
  Overlooked Woody Allen gem that features Mia Farrow at her comedic best. Allen's keen ear for clever dialogue and obvious love for the entertainment industry and classic NY are in majestic display.

• Randy T

  
  Stories and anecdotes surrounding a 1940's suburban family in Rockaway Beach, New York during the golden age of radio. Thick with nostalgia and Woody Allen's trademark humor. *Watch for a young Seth Green as Woody Allen's eleven year old alter ego.

• Alice S

  
  Very sweet and nostalgic. Young Seth Green is just adorable and Mia Farrow's lower register is simply divine.

• Michael G

  
  A sweet, enjoyable and sometimes touching love letter to the golden age of radio. Woody Allen offers no real plot or story so much as a collection of memories from his childhood. The opening scene is classic Allen and utterly hilarious. Radio Days has great set and costume design and… More
  A sweet, enjoyable and sometimes touching love letter to the golden age of radio. Woody Allen offers no real plot or story so much as a collection of memories from his childhood. The opening scene is classic Allen and utterly hilarious. Radio Days has great set and costume design and plenty of great moments. It's not exactly essential Allen but it's not to be avoided either.

• Jennifer X

  
  Makes me feel unbearably nostalgic for the nonexistent "radio days" of my time. The family in the movie is endearing and annoying at the same time, and Mia Farrow provides the perfect contrast of "glamour" on the other side of the radio. Woody Allen is so versatile… More
  Makes me feel unbearably nostalgic for the nonexistent "radio days" of my time. The family in the movie is endearing and annoying at the same time, and Mia Farrow provides the perfect contrast of "glamour" on the other side of the radio. Woody Allen is so versatile - he can do all kinds of funny, he can do drama, and he can do HEART.

• xGary X

  
  Another witty comedy penned by Woody Allen full of well observed eccentric characters viewed through the eyes of a small boy during the depression. Heartwarming without resorting to the usual schmaltz.

• Mark K

  
  Although I’ve been hot and cold on Woody Allen for years, with radio Days he was able to capture the whimsical side of his personality in writing and direction without going overboard in either the silly or gloomy direction. In fact, it’s probably my favorite Woody Allen film… More
  Although I’ve been hot and cold on Woody Allen for years, with radio Days he was able to capture the whimsical side of his personality in writing and direction without going overboard in either the silly or gloomy direction. In fact, it’s probably my favorite Woody Allen film after maybe Annie Hall. Backed up by his cast of 'usual suspects', this film with its Oscar-nominated original screenplay is a nostalgic look at the early days of mass communication via the airwaves. The technology has changed, but Allen was able to capture the spirit of what made these radio days great, and why it still fascinates. You’ll see all the familiar faces except Allen in this. He narrates, but doesn't appear. In fact, I like his films when he isn’t on screen, and uses a proxy, in this case Seth Green (as a young kid!). Everyone lends their best upbeat, comedic tone to the film, but it also has a lot of thoughtful, poignant, and bittersweet moments: It’s never schmaltzy or heavy-handed. The vignettes are all intermingled seamlessly, and Allen keeps the pace up in what might otherwise have been dragged under by its naturally talkative script. It’s basically Woody Allen’s ‘soundtrack of my life’ using songs and old radio shows. It’s a very effective film, and relevant to today’s generation that use playlists and favorite movies and music delivered through new forms of mass media. People still seek entertainment and escape, and Mr. Allen provides both in this marvelous time capsule. Recommended

• Alec B

  
  Although I was never around during this time period, Woody Allen makes you feel unbearably nostalgic for it. It so very likable, as it shares stories of success, failures, comedy's and tragedy's all centered around Allen's childhood and the radio. Fun fact: The kid who… More
  Although I was never around during this time period, Woody Allen makes you feel unbearably nostalgic for it. It so very likable, as it shares stories of success, failures, comedy's and tragedy's all centered around Allen's childhood and the radio. Fun fact: The kid who essentially plays woody allen as a child, is a very young Seth Green, and as the mother is Julie Kavner who is today Marge on The Simpsons.

• Marcus W

  
  Here you have a coming of age drama, a biography, and a recollection of when radio was what TV is today. Woody Allen narrates, guiding us through his childhood and veering from schmaltz to wit as he fondly remembers growing up with the radio. It's charming and witty without ever… More
  Here you have a coming of age drama, a biography, and a recollection of when radio was what TV is today. Woody Allen narrates, guiding us through his childhood and veering from schmaltz to wit as he fondly remembers growing up with the radio. It's charming and witty without ever being self-indulgent. In fact, "charming" is by far the best way to describe it.

• Andre T

  
  The film looks back on American family life during the Golden Age of Radio. Allen narrates the stories of his youth, although he is never seen by the audience. The young Allen is portrayed on screen by Seth Green as "Joe".A great work of Allen with a lot of gags and music… More
  The film looks back on American family life during the Golden Age of Radio. Allen narrates the stories of his youth, although he is never seen by the audience. The young Allen is portrayed on screen by Seth Green as "Joe".A great work of Allen with a lot of gags and music from this particulary era.

• Brian R

  
  Woody Allen's "Radio Days" is based on Allen's childhood days in NYC and the special radio programs, classy jazz elements he and his family would listen to during the WWII era. This is Allen's "Goodfellas" picture filled with a burst of energy,… More
  Woody Allen's "Radio Days" is based on Allen's childhood days in NYC and the special radio programs, classy jazz elements he and his family would listen to during the WWII era. This is Allen's "Goodfellas" picture filled with a burst of energy, he tells the story by voiceover and immediately gets the viewer into the Golden Age Of The Radio world and Allen's middle class upbringings. The cast is flawless, the humour is very funny and wicked, the sets is authentic and above all I loved how Allen was able to use and find the right radio programs of the 40's combined with the jazzy big-band sounds edited flawlessly into Allen's picture. I was snapping my fingers while bobbing my head, smiling with a grin to the music. If I were a filmmaker I think I'd try to make a picture called "Internet Days" since we're all glued to the computer screens and laptops reminiscent of the ppl who were glued to the radio from the 1920's-1950's. Well it's something of a start.

• Tom S

  
  Something a little different from Woody, but I liked it for more than just the sake of variety. But that was one of his strong points, not only in this movie, but throughout the mid-80s.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings