The Odd Couple: Together Again (1993 TV Movie) User Reviews

The Odd Couple: Together Again (1993) ***

[JoeKarlosi · 7/10 · 11 June 2004]

Most of the ODD COUPLE TV Series fans I speak to don't care much for this reunion film, but I think you need to consider a few things:

For starters, there were a few bad scripts roaming around for years but Tony Randall and Jack Klugman didn't want to bother reuniting if it wasn't an idea they believed in. A 1991 television interview with Klugman confirmed this, and he said he'd rather not come back to the series at all unless the script was something decent. When Klugman had throat surgery due to cancer, all chances for a reunion could have been lost. However, this turned out to be the perfect idea for a story to bring the duo together again: What could be more natural than using this real-life situation by having Oscar Madison, the carefree smoker and beer guzzler and likely candidate himself, ultimately contracting throat cancer while Felix Unger insists on taking care of him at his apartment as Oscar tries to recuperate, and only making his friend's life miserable all over again? While the illness itself is difficult to joke about, Klugman felt it could also show how people like Madison and himself can beat the disease. So it's a comedy that presents the Odd Couple not only driving each other nuts again, but at the same time also has something to say. Klugman is a cancer survivor, having lived late into his 80s (as of this writing), and that's something Jack wanted to pass along.

One of the complaints with this telefilm is that the characters of Gloria and the "poker pals" from the television show have been replaced by new actors. Sure, it would have been fun to see Al Molinaro return as bumbling cop Murray, but other than these relatively minor quibbles, the script manages to revisit just about all the familiar gags we'd come to love and expect from the series, and any die-hard fan of the TV show is bound to smile as the script manages to nail every one of the old chestnuts: Felix's sinus troubles, his annoying moans of "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar", that infamous half-eaten tuna fish sandwich that still seems to be hanging around Oscar's messy room, Felix trying to help his friend out but only managing to cause Oscar intense embarrassment, Oscar ultimately trying to return the favor by setting things right between Felix and his Gloria, and all kinds of other little details that pure fans of the program would be looking out for.

It's not the most perfect reunion we would have wanted; after all, it's almost 20 years after the show ended and our mismatched roommates haven't gotten any younger; but this is harmless good fun with a positive message of hope, too.

Pleasant enough reunion for two iconic TV characters

[Leafman · 6/10 · 20 November 2008]

Most TV reunion movies do little more than reunite the original cast members and revisit the same story ideas that worked the first time around. After all, that's what the audience expects, right? You don't bring back everyone's beloved characters and have them doing UNfamiliar things on screen. Viewers like those characters for what they WERE, and they expect to see them repeat the same moves.

"Odd Couple: Together Again" exemplifies this in how Felix and Oscar are reunited in the same apartment (or at least, they CLAIM it's the same one), rehashing the "neat vs. sloppy" clash, among other events in their lives. Some of the scripted comedic lines are fairly amusing, while others are lukewarm and less sharp.

This TV movie's chief asset is a certain warmth that comes from seeing these familiar characters (and actors, for that matter) reunite. Watching them renew their ties of friendship and seeing them bond possesses more entertainment value than the jokes in the script, which are a decided mixed bag.

Gone are the brilliant wisecracks from the '70s show; since the original stable of Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Mark Rothman and Frank Buxton are nowhere to be found, we settle for the tone and pitch of writer-director Robert Klane. I think Klugman and Randall manage to carry the often tame material expertly.

Felix strolls through Oscar's messy bedroom for the first time in many years, and Felix comments on each item of garbage he finds. Again, it's a pleasant enough sequence, but in the hands of the old writers, it could've been much funnier.

Felix is noisily vacuuming in Oscar's living room at four in the morning, and when an angry, half-awake Oscar comes storming in, Felix pretends to open his eyes and says, "Oh ... OH! I must've been sleep-cleaning!" Oscar responds by doing some "sleep-messing" and then threatening "sleep-murder."

I could totally envision the old TV writers coming up with a hilarious tit-for-tat sequence instead, where Oscar could sneak in and unplug (or sabotage) the vacuum to set up a sight gag where the vacuum blows up in Felix's hand, or some similar sight gag that ends up with Felix fuming like it used to be. You get the idea.

The strength of Klane's effort lies in the more serious moments, not the least of which is dealing with Klugman's post cancer-surgery voice. Obviously, Klugman's scratchy, toneless rasp had to become Oscar's voice, and Klane gives Oscar some genuine emotionally touching moments. The idea of Felix helping him through his disheartening loss leads to some nice bonding moments, and again, they are much more effective than the comedic sequences in the film.

I'm guessing that this telefilm flopped. The reason I'm guessing that? Randall stated in an interview from many years ago that he and Klugman had "just made" a reunion movie (or something like that), and another Felix/Oscar movie was coming. It never came, obviously, so I can perceive that "Odd Couple: Together Again" just didn't have a strong creative or viewer-ratings impact.

Also, there is no DVD release. No VHS tape exists either. All five seasons of the original series are now available on disc, but "Odd Couple: Together Again" is not (as of this writing). I believe the film is flawed, but it's not deserving of the obscurity it seems to have achieved. It's OK! A mixed bag, to be sure, but definitely worthwhile.

Not great, but worth a watch for the true fan

[Qanqor · 6/10 · 4 July 2013]

The quickest and easiest way to know what's wrong with this production is simply to watch the credits. If you do, you'll notice that, except for Randall and Klugman, there's just about *nobody* involved in this thing from the original TV show-- neither in front of nor behind the cameras. They badly needed to get back more of the original people. They needed the original Murray. They needed the original Gloria. Either of the original Edna's would have been a nice touch.

But most of all, they needed to get back some of the original writers. I once saw Tony Randall on a talk show (might have been Letterman), and he was asked what made "The Odd Couple" so good, and without missing a beat, he answered "Great writing!" Well, nobody is likely to confuse *this* script with great writing. A lot of the gags are tepid. The logic isn't always there; for instance, it strains credulity to think that Oscar couldn't instantly tell that the poker guys were *letting* him win. I'm still trying to figure out what all that physical training, running around in the park, had to do with helping Oscar's voice.

And yet, I have to say, I enjoyed watching this movie. Just because it was fun to see Oscar and Felix again. However weak the script, the boys still give it a fine performance, they've still got it. And having Penny Marshall back as Myrna really helped a lot; her scenes with Klugman was some of my favorite stuff in the film. Not hilarious, but just fun.

But I do wish they'd had more tie-ins to the original show. More references to things that all us fans remember. They did have the gorilla, and they mentioned the doings on the night Edna was born. But why wasn't the apartment flaming peach? (surely Oscar wouldn't have gone to the effort, hassle, or expense of repainting!) It just would have been nice if there could have been some passing mention of Spot Moscowitz, or Unger Woo, or the time Edna ran off to follow Paul Williams. It would have been nice if, upon returning to the apartment after so many years, if Felix discovered that there still remained one last can of canned squid.

But again, still, I enjoyed it. I guess that, after so many years of watching reruns of the same episodes over and over, it was just nice to have something akin to a new episode. Even if it isn't a great episode.

God bless you Tony and Jack

[dtucker86 · 23 October 2003]

Tony Randall and Jack Klugman made tv history with The Odd Couple. The chemistry between these two fine thespians is unbelievable, it is like Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello. They were wonderful together on the tv series. Its a custom for them to do "reunion" movies for old tv shows and most of them usually fall like a pancake. It is true that Tony and Jack were old when this was made, but they were like a fine wine that only gets better with age. Yes! The chemistry was still there the spark was still there and the magic was still there. It was like they just picked up where they left off in 1975 (this film was made in 1993). Jack Klugman had had an operation for throat cancer that cost him one of his vocal cords and left him with an impaired voice. They wrote this into the story in a very tasteful manner. It was wonderful how it showed Felix helping Oscar come to copes with this. It was very touching and at one point Jack makes a very heartfelt speech to his poker buddies about how you can beat cancer and that he is still the same person. He was speaking right from the heart and I will tell you right now that it touched my heart. Jack Klugman gave hope and inspiration to so many other cancer victims by going on and speaking out (he has battled throat cancer for almost 30 years). This was a great reunion movie for these two giants. They probably had a ball making it and you will be glad that they took you along for the ride!

Is this another lousy TV reunion movie or is it something better?

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 19 August 2023]

"The Odd Couple: Together Again" is a reunion movie for a 1970s TV series. This came out during a period in which quite a few TV shows of the 1960s-70s were having reunion movies....mostly very bad ones. The worst were "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Green Acres" because so many of the original actors were dead...or just looked dead on the screen. But the rest were, in general, a bad lot...such as "Return to Mayberry" and "Leave it to Beaver"...in which June talks to Ward by talking to his gravestone! A most cringe-worthy scene indeed!

So, is "The Odd Couple: Together Again" any different or is it just another painful and forced reunion? Well, at the outset it was hindered a bit as a few of the series regulars were not in the film...and although John Fiedler (Vinnie), Al Molinaro (Murray) and Janis Hansen (Gloria) were alive, they didn't participate in the project and I have no idea why.

The story is has two main plots. First, Felix is still with Gloria following the final episode of the series. But, his daughter is getting married and he's driving his 'Gloria' crazy....so she sends him to temporarily live with Oscar. As for Oscar, he's just had throat cancer surgery and he just wants to have EVERYONE leave him alone. Felix, on the other hand, won't let Oscar shut out the world and spends much of the film working hard to get Oscar involved with life.

So is it any good? Well, as far as the set goes, yes. Although the original sets no longer existed, they did a good job of recreating the first set from the old series. As far as actors go, I mentioned above that they lacked all the old actors...but I admire them for including Klugman and not shying away from his real life throat surgeries. He sounded like a gravely frog but was understandable and I'm glad he was in the movie...although it was a bit sad to watch as well. As for Tony Randall, he WAS Felix in every possible way and did a great job.

This brings us to the most important aspect of this made for TV movie....the plot. It's not as funny as the shows, which is understandable considering the throat cancer theme! Making it as funny would have been difficult...and a bit tacky. But it was poignant and sweet...which works for me.

Apparently, this project as well as a traveling show, were pet projects for Randall...as the way he acts in the film is similar to their real life relationship. In real life, he tried his best to help Klugman get out of the house and face the world...which was very sweet. Overall, a surprisingly good reunion movie even if it's not the comedy most would expect.

The TV series was Much Better

[ralsalongi · 5/10 · 25 January 2003]

As a lover of the classic TV series, I had to watch this movie. When I watched it, I was badly disappointed. Randall and Klugman have aged and it really showed in their performances. Many of the original cast members were absent here and this also hurt. The plot was understandable, however the performances were not very good, especially by many of the substitute actors. Al Molanaro as Murry the cop was sorely missed as were many of Oscar and Felix's poker buddies. They managed to write Klugman's throat cancer into the script which helped a bit.

In summary, This TV movie was a far cry from the classic TV series and I would not recommend it.

Not bad, but not great.

[oball-14839 · 6/10 · 13 January 2021]

Randall and Klugman retain their chemistry. A lot of plot holes and inconsistencies, but that was always the case. Nice surprise to see Myrna and Speed again. My biggest complaint is the background music. I think this would play better with no music. As well, the added drama is unnecessary. It remains one of the best comedies of all time.

You Could Rewatch The Series, You Know

[boblipton · 5/10 · 21 November 2020]

Tony Randall and Jack Klugman return as Oscar and Felix from the TV series. Twenty years have passed, and nothing has changed. Well, Klugman has had laryngeal surgery, so that's written into the story. And Randall's daughter, played by Pamelyn Ferdin in the show, has grown into Toni Kalem, who is about to be married. When Randall's insanity gets the wedding kicked out of the Plaza, Barbara Barrie, now playing his wife, kicks him out. So he goes to stay with Klugman.

By and large, it is an oversized episode of the 1970s show, with the usual neat/sloppy jokes, the poker game, and Penny Marshall reprising her role of Klugman's secretary. Clearly aimed at people who were nostalgic for what the network suits used to hyperventilate about because it was a coded gay comedy, it offers nothing new, and the pace lacks the snap of the TV series.

Back Together again after all those years!

[GOWBTW · 9/10 · 7 February 2008]

The return of a sitcom gem has brought to light. "The Odd Couple: Together Again" brings back Tony Randall and Jack Klugman for a reunion that will last for a lifetime. Felix Unger(Randall) has remarried, and his only daughter, Edna(Toni Kalem) is getting married for the first time. All the time Felix has been the same: Fussy. His fussbudgetness gets him kick out of the house for only a few days. He goes back to his old resting ground, Oscar Madison(Klugman), who has recovered from throat cancer surgery. (The cancer claimed Klugman's larynx and vocal cord in real life, that's why he's very gruff now.) So while at Oscar's place, he and all his friends try to get his spirits back up. While that's in the works, the wedding plans are in the works. Then Felix is at it again, meddling. The fiancé, is divorced twice. And Felix starts jumping the gun again. This time, the wives he married were bad, not him. And it was Oscar who helps out the Ungers for Felix. Imagine, friends for life in god times and bad. Those two are inseparable. Maybe Oscar will be tying the knot himself for the second time. A great reunion movie, too bad some of the other casts couldn't make it like Al Molrinaro. It was good to see those two again. Sadly, it will the last for Randall. He died in 2004. R.I.P. Tony Randall! 4 out of 5 stars!

This was sad and disturbing to watch.

[flackjacket · 1/10 · 17 May 2016]

Wow, they should have let good enough alone. I was a fan of the TV show, and today they aired this movie on Decades TV. So I watched it.

It's as if they pulled Jack Klugman out of his hospital bed and forced him to do this movie. It's just sad to see him in such bad condition, as he can barely talk.

And the scene where Felix is trying to get him to sing is the worst. Jack is obviously sick as Hell and they amplify it by forcing him to sing? WTH?

Why? Why would they do this? The TV show was timeless and classic. But whoever decided to exploit Jack in order to make a movie is sick in the head.

Together again for the first and only time.

[Stebaer4 · 8/10 · 17 March 2007]

Jack & Tony did well reprising their roles as expected but agreeably the absence of the true Murray the cop by Al Molinaro & The true other poker buddies was a big disappointment. Also agreeably Jack's throat cancer written into the script was well done too.Oscar not only also knew that Felix would return to Gloria some day as he had before and not just that but upon making it to his daughter's Wedding of which Felix was not aloud by Gloria to attend at first then Oscar made a speech that only he(Felix)was fit to give his own daughter away & so then lo and behold Felix showed up to replace Oscar of whom Gloria invited to replace Felix while they'd temporarily split up again and upon showing up they also got back together again.Oscar also even knew that if Gloria took him back before then she definitely would again.The Movie starts off in a similar way to the series original start of its 5 year run and in conclusion to asking can 2 divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?(and then answered)Well yes and no as Oscar and Felix found out.Well yes something like that anyway. But for somethings like this you'll have to see them for yourself to understand the/my review a.k.a. What I say even better.

Truthfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste" of Framingham,Ma.USA

P.S.

I get Ste as the Result of My Big Brother J.Kevin being a year older than me and unable to Say Stephen at the time so Chances are that if you met anyone addressing himself as Ste before or after you've heard of me then Chances are that he copied me.

Odd Movie for The Odd Couple

[gleetroy · 12 February 2008]

Getting the true odd couple together again was an inspired idea (I know, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmonn did the movie first and Matthau and Art Carney were the very first Odd Couple in the original play). They were the best with the truest chemistry. It was and still is one of my favorite television shows of all time. It was hilarious! So, what happened to the reunion? It was dreadful. I know the actors were twenty years older but that didn't matter. The actors were fine. The script was lousy! It was juvenile and made little sense at times. For anyone to believe that a wife who supposedly loves her husband would ban him from his own daughter's wedding was too much of a stretch.

Jack and Tony were still good and the script did incorporate Jack's voice into the story quite well, but these two guys could have done much better. I have seen them both acting together on Broadway after this show was made in two separate plays (Three Men On A Horse and The Sunshine Boys). Both were well done although "Boys" was the better of the two. The point is, why couldn't they have had a stronger script?

Like others, it bothered me a lot that Al Molinaro did not play Murray. I know he retired by I still don't get why he wasn't there. He is still living and doing commercials, so why couldn't they get him to play Murray again? It was a small part in this movie. I wish someone had the answer to that. Also, I understand why Dick Van Patten was one of the poker players (He played the role when they reprised the play for the opening of Tony Randall's national Actor's Theater on Broadway, but what about John Fieldler. Why wasn't he Vinny? He remained active until his death in 2005.