My Breakfast with Blassie

Andy Kaufman was his own brand of genius, and his particular style of nonsense is on display, for good and ill, in this often overlooked gem of an indie film. It's gross, over the top, and as always Andy has fun making you guess whether what you're seeing is real or an elaborate gag for the camera (hint: that's his longtime co-conspirator Bob Zmuda sitting behind him for much of the film, and later getting rather nosey).

And then there is Blassie, one of the superstars of old time wrestling. We hope he's goofing for the camera too but some of his coarse comments seems to be coming from the heart. He reveals himself -- as a sexist clod, as a seasoned world traveler, as a garrulous guy who has played a ridiculous role all his life and loved every minute of it -- in a hundred little ways in this movie, as when he admits that he loves to kill time wandering through hardware stores, never actually buying anything, just "picking stuff up and playing with it." The hand towel gag may be over the top but it sure looks like it has roots in some personal issues for Freddie -- maybe even compulsions -- about keeping his hands clean. Check out his spotless fingernails.

I saw Freddie wrestle in the Garden when I was a kid, cheered my head off when Bruno Sammartino made him submit with a bearhug, and watched him on UHF TV in New York many times, and I always suspected he was a smart man behind all the wrestling BS. This proves it, and also gives a lot of insight into the good and bad aspects of his character. All in all, I wish I'd eaten breakfast with him too. (Especially if he paid!)

For some reason I always believe Andy's on screen life wasn't totally scripted. When I realize what I've seen was completely planned and possibly even rehearsed, I feel a bit stupid. Then I remember that believing he was for real is all he wanted so then I feel better. The conversation here is boring. Blassie doesn't question if Andy really broke his neck and even says he told his wife Andy was really hurt when he saw it on tv. Blassie does have trouble hiding the fact that he's a total jerk but he manages to stay calm. The other people who were in Sambo's are the best part. It's clear they were meant to incite Blassie and even though they failed, they are the only reason to watch this.

This movie got together because the man who produced wrestling manager and former wrestling champion Fred Blassie's novelty song, "Pencil-Neck Geek", Johnny Legend, wanted to film a very cheap parody of the awful art movie My Dinner with Andre, and decided that Blassie's young friend and protege, the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman would be the perfect foil. Unlike My Dinner with Andre, which was carefully planned, Andy and Johnny Legend planted a few people in a Sambo's and just filmed Andy and Fred shooting the crap over breakfast for an hour. I think that's better anyway, as I HATE art movies They improvised wonderfully, and you gotta hand it to them for pulling off such a funny film in no time for no money. Andy was of course a huge fan of wrestling and he and Fred were friends for years, and you could tell by the way they talked to each other that they respected each other a great deal. The film is hilarious, and gives you real insight into the minds of Andy Kaufman, and Fred Blassie, the man who invented the infamous phrase, "Pencil-neck geek."

However, if you hate Andy and/or wrestling, I suggest you watch My Dinner With Andre instead.

Basically My Breakfest with Blassie is a hysterical classic. I came across this gem randomly 25 years after it's production. I have the distinct advantage of being both a fan of Kauffman and Blassie.

The dynamic that these two men have is incredible. Blassie is a tough, old-school, straight talking type and Kauffman plays to it wonderfully. Kauffman lets Blassie be Blassie and reacts often like a starry eyed kid in awe of his wisdom and knowledge.

This movie is funny if you get Kauffman. I read the review on here stating that this is "two guys eating...boring" or whatever. If that is your opinion then you simply don't grasp Kauffman's comedy.

Words can not convey how simply wonderful this thing is. The king of men and Kaufman sit at a Sambos and discuss everything under the sun. One of Andy's quieter achievements. A must see for any serious fan of either man's work. The other user had it correct. It is a masterpiece.