A divorced man's obsession with reclaiming his ex-wife leads to kidnapping. Despite her remarriage, they still have encounters. As his actions escalate, NYC police work to unravel the case.A divorced man's obsession with reclaiming his ex-wife leads to kidnapping. Despite her remarriage, they still have encounters. As his actions escalate, NYC police work to unravel the case.A divorced man's obsession with reclaiming his ex-wife leads to kidnapping. Despite her remarriage, they still have encounters. As his actions escalate, NYC police work to unravel the case.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
Anne Marie Sten
- Big Red
- (as Anne-Marie Sten)
Robert A. Silverman
- Lawyer
- (as Robert Silverman)
Allan Kolman
- Party guest
- (uncredited)
Steve Meek
- Party crasher
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Featured reviews
Yikes!!!!!
Well, let me just say, I'm a huge John Candy fan from way back.
Was perusing the video shelf at a local store, and wow,, John Candy's face jumps out at me. ! Thought I had seen most if not all of his movies. Big photo of John and a description of some guy and his marital problems.
So i figure not every one makes a movie that is well know so I buy hoping to watch a good, but rather unknown, Candy film.
Well, this isn't a Candy film. It's from 1975!!!! Well before he was star. Cheap way to see a movie I think. It' like putting the kid's face from Forest Gump , who sat in the back of the bus and said "Hey Forest" on the cover because years later he became a star. Oh well, that's life. Just saying if you think this is a John Candy film - it's not.
As bad as a comedy can get
This is one of the UNFUNNIEST comedies I've ever seen. Not only is the humor extremely lame and unenergetic, there aren't that many attempts at humor! The only thing to be said in its favor is that it isn't one of those bad, sex-perverted Canadian films that Canada now makes.
The sequel, "Find The Lady", is just as unfunny, though done with somewhat more energy.
The sequel, "Find The Lady", is just as unfunny, though done with somewhat more energy.
It's a bit of a slog to sit through
Rather rubbish.
1975's 'It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time' is supposed to be a comedy but I can't say I laughed, or even really chuckled, once, it's a bit of a slog to sit through; despite a short run time of 90 minutes.
A flick seemingly most known for being the second film role of John Candy, who I'm surprised to see got a spin-off from this with co-star Lawrence Dane - neither of them stood out to me to be honest, especially (the eventually great) Candy. Of the other cast members, Stefanie Powers is alright but Anthony Newley's character kinda irritated more than anything else unfortunately.
I shall still check out spin-off 'Find the Lady', in hope more than expectation that it'll be better than this - presumably with Candy as lead, it stands more of a chance than it otherwise would to be fair.
1975's 'It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time' is supposed to be a comedy but I can't say I laughed, or even really chuckled, once, it's a bit of a slog to sit through; despite a short run time of 90 minutes.
A flick seemingly most known for being the second film role of John Candy, who I'm surprised to see got a spin-off from this with co-star Lawrence Dane - neither of them stood out to me to be honest, especially (the eventually great) Candy. Of the other cast members, Stefanie Powers is alright but Anthony Newley's character kinda irritated more than anything else unfortunately.
I shall still check out spin-off 'Find the Lady', in hope more than expectation that it'll be better than this - presumably with Candy as lead, it stands more of a chance than it otherwise would to be fair.
some of the lamest slapstick in the history of film
I unfortunately purchased this movie and the sequel, "Find the Lady" for 10 bucks. I am a big fan of John Candy and the back of the box made it seem better than it is. But after I watched the first one, I threw both of them out without ever seeing "Find the Lady." This movie is just slapstick with no point. It's not even Three-Stooges-quality slapstick, it's just plain pointless. I should've listened to that first review, but I saw it anyway. Don't make my same mistake. If you purchased the same two-pack as I did, do yourself a favor and give it to someone you don't like for his / her birthday.
even "bad" can be amusing
It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time is not supposed to be a classic. it's just goofy fun. 80-90% of the movies made annually are just candy.
when a movie is this "bad"...it's interesting to just look at other aspects of it. the direction...writing...what possibly passed as humor at that time. i think its amusing to just "watch" people act. see the wheels turning in their eyes as their minds bring out the next line of dialog.
don't be hard on movies like "Good Idea". they are not supposed to stand the test of time. it's just candy.
when a movie is this "bad"...it's interesting to just look at other aspects of it. the direction...writing...what possibly passed as humor at that time. i think its amusing to just "watch" people act. see the wheels turning in their eyes as their minds bring out the next line of dialog.
don't be hard on movies like "Good Idea". they are not supposed to stand the test of time. it's just candy.
Did you know
- TriviaDespite only having a minor role in the film, John Candy is heavily featured on the various VHS and DVD releases of the film, cashing in on his later success in Hollywood.
- Quotes
Mrs. Chorley: Is that Hortense?
Sweeney: She looks perfectly relaxed to me.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits are shown in a zany animation sequence. Towards the end, the voice of star Anthony Newley comments on the names being introduced in these credits. He calls the producer "a funny fella" and mispronounces a slew of other names.
- Alternate versionsSome video versions strategically crop the sequences featuring Anthony Newley's buttocks, but all the dialogue remains intact.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood Comedy Legends (2011)
- How long is It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- CA$1,200,000 (estimated)
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