The Ritz (1976)

40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(614 ratings)

With The Ritz, Terrence McNally's hit Broadway play of the same name is cinematized by director Richard Lester. Jack Weston plays Gaetano Proclo, a minor mob flunky who's been targeted for elimination by his brother-in-law, Carmine Vespucci (Jerry Stiller). Gaetano takes refuge in what he thinks is… More With The Ritz, Terrence McNally's hit Broadway play of the same name is cinematized by director Richard Lester. Jack Weston plays Gaetano Proclo, a minor mob flunky who's been targeted for elimination by his brother-in-law, Carmine Vespucci (Jerry Stiller). Gaetano takes refuge in what he thinks is a Turkish bath. Actually, it's The Pits. That's the name, "The Pits" -- a gay bathhouse (this is the pre-AIDS era), where the exquisitely awful Googie Gomez (Rita Moreno) entertains the homosexual patrons with her ear-splitting renditions of such show tunes as "Everything's Coming Up Roses." Hoping to save his neck by pretending to be gay, Gaetano effusively praises Googie. Assuming that he is a big-time Broadway producer, she plays up to him. Everything would be hunky-dory, except that the bathhouse is owned by the very mob that has put a contract on Gaetano. What follows is an old-fashioned door-slamming farce, except that there are no doors to slam. The supporting cast includes Kaye Ballard, Treat Williams, George Coulouris, F. Murray Abraham, Dave King, and (as one of the patrons) a pre-Cheers John Ratzenberger. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Richard Lester
Genres: Art House & International, Classics, Gay & Lesbian, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Jan 8, 2008
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
... a classic door-slamming sex farce with a '70s twist of big, broad, hearty gay stereotypes and Rita Moreno as a flamboyantly talentless singer...
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
OK version of the play enlivened by occasional flashes of Lester creativity.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Funny version of the Broadway show. Look for an early Treat Williams appearance.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A very funny comedy movie, with a great story and good actors. I really liked it.
jay n

Very much a time capsule of a bygone era, everybody is enjoyably over the top but any time Rita Moreno shows up she blows everyone else off the screen in a performance of such reckless, hilarious abandon its a joy to behold.

Cast

            Jack Weston as Gaetano Proclo

            Rita Moreno as Googie Gomez

            Jerry Stiller as Carmine Vespucci

            Kaye Ballard as Vivian Proclo

            F Murray Abraham as Chris

            Treat Williams as Michael Brick

            John Everson as Tiger

            Christopher J. Brown as Duff

            Dave King as Abe

            George Coulouris as Old Man Vespucci

            John Ratzenberger as Bath Patron

            Chris Harris as Patrons

            Freddie Earle as Disgruntled Patron

            Richard Holmes as Pianist

            Bart Allison as Old Priest

            Ben Aris as Cyclist

            Ronnie Brody as Small Patron

            Peter Butterworth as Patron In Chaps

            Tony De Santis as Sheldon Farenthold

            Hal Galili as Patron With Cigar

            Leon Greene as Musclebound Patron

            Bessie Love as Maurine

            Samantha Weyson as Gilda Proclo

            Hugh Fraser as Disc Jockey

            Paul B. Price as Claude Perkins
See full cast