The Worst Film Ever

Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Bill Bixby stars in this weird adaptation from the Broadway show Steambath. It opens with Tandy (Bixby) going into a steambath for the first time, and talking with the odd characters found there. Herb Edelman (Stan, from Golden Girls !) is in there, and is a crusty, disagree-able type. Valerie Perrine is the chick who walks into the steamroom and takes a shower...showing some side-boob. Valerie will go on to be "Samantha" in Can't Stop the Music.... and of course, the Superman movies. Then two gay guys come in and do a dance routine (of course.) Their dance routine is also provocative, and they slowly lose their towels. Don't forget Kenneth Mars, from Young Frankenstein, What's Up Doc?, and my favorite, The Producers. There IS cussing, and plenty of what are now incorrect slurs of the time. Bill Bixby, already 40, runs around in his tighty whities. I knew him from "Incredible Hulk", but apparently he was also in "Magician" series. Stephen Elliot is the old guy, who seems to know what's really going on here. Elliot was the chief in "Beverly Hills Cop", and also Bert in "Arthur". Jose Perez is "Morty", the steambath attendant; I won't say too much about him, or that would give away important plot points.Lots of 1970's references -- All in the Family, psychedelic music, automats, roller skating rink. The writer, Bruce Friedman, was also one of the writers of Splash (1984), and was nominated for an Oscar for that. Very good, but LOTS of talking.. Long, wordy speeches by Tandy and The Attendant. Clever idea, though - some of the experimental stuff from the 1960s and 1970s. The last 20 minutes are one long diatribe by Bixby. So serious. and L O N G. Directed by Burt Brinckerhoff...started as an actor. Looks like he did TONS of TV movies and series.

I saw this on PBS in the 70s. I have talked about it and tried to find it over the years. For all you fans, I found it on Discount DVD. It was one of Bixby's best and it was spellbinding. It is truly wonderful to see that classics like this are getting a chance to be viewed by new generations.

This is an incredible movie. PBS needs to pull this one out of the archives and release this on DVD/VHS just as they have done with "The Lathe of Heaven", another wonderful picture. If anyone knows where this film can be purchased, please let me know.

A very metaphysical, light-hearted play I saw on PBS 28 years ago and have not seen since. I really, really would like to view it again and give it as a stocking-stuffer to all my friends this Christmas. It is a must on how not to take life or yourself too seriously. Anybody know where I can get a copy?