The Purple Rose of Cairo [Blu-ray]

Director: Woody Allen Woody Allen

Overview

Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid-1930s. Trapped in a dead-end job and an abusive marriage, Cecelia (Mia Farrow) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction, an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo, that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits, the film's main character Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels), pauses in his dialogue, turns towards the audience, and says to Cecelia, "My God, how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie, much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black-and-white environs, he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town, eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile, the other Purple Rose characters, unable to proceed with the film, carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately, the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd, the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose. Shepherd (also played by Daniels), is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/18/2022
UPC:	0850035985700
Original Release:	1985
Rating:	PG
Source:	Sandpiper Pictures
Language:	English
Time:	1:22:00
Sales rank:	12,784

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Mia Farrow	Cecilia,Cecilia's Sister
Jeff Daniels	Tom Baxter, Gil Shepherd
Danny Aiello	Monk
Dianne Wiest	Emma
Van Johnson	Larry
Zoe Caldwell	The Countess
Milo O'Shea	Fr. Donnelly
Deborah Rush	Rita
Irving Metzman	Theater Manager
John Rothman	Mr. Hirsch's Lawyer
Alexander H. Cohen	Raoul Hirsch
Karen Akers	Kitty Haynes
Camille Saviola	Olga
Michael Tucker	Gil's Agent
Annie Joe Edwards	Delilah
Peter McRobbie	The Communist
Juliana Donald	Usher
Edward Herrmann	Henry
David Kieserman	Diner Boss
Eugene Anthony	Arturo
Ebb Miller	Bandleader,Movie Audience
Raymond Serra	Hollywood Executive,Hollywood Executive
George J. Manos	Press Agent
Juliet Taylor	Actor
David Tice	Waiter
James Lynch	Maitre d'
Sydney Blake	Variety Reporter
Peter von Berg	Drugstore Customer
Loretta Tupper	Music Store Owner
Elaine Grollman	Diner Patron
Wade Barnes	Diner Patron
Victoria Zussin	Diner Patron
Mark Hammond	Diner Patron
Joseph G. Graham	Diner Patron
Don Quigley	Diner Patron
Maurice Brenner	Diner Patron
Paul Herman	Penny Pitcher
Rick Petrucelli	Penny Pitcher
Peter Castellotti	Penny Pitcher
Milton Seaman	Ticket Buyer
Mimi Weddell	Ticket Buyer
Tom Degidon	Ticket Taker
Mary Hedahl	Popcorn Seller
Margaret Thompson	Movie Audience
George Hamlin	Movie Audience
Helen Hanft	Movie Audience
Leo Postrel	Movie Audience
George Martin	Movie Audience
Crystal Field	Movie Audience
Ken Chapin	Reporter
Robert Trebor	Reporter
Benjamin Rayson	Moviegoer
Jean Shevlin	Moviegoer
Albert S. Bennett	Moviegoer
Martha Sherrill	Moviegoer
Gretchen MacLane	Moviegoer
Edwin Bordo	Moviegoer
Andrew Murphy	Policeman
Tom Kubiak	Policeman
David Weber	Photo Double
Glenne Headly	Hooker
Willie Tjan	Hooker
Lela Ivey	Hooker
Drinda La Lumia	Hooker
John Wood	Jason

Technical Credits

Woody Allen

Woody Allen	Director,Screenwriter
Robert Greenhut	Producer
Charles H. Joffe	Executive Producer
Jack Rollins	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

In the Woody Allen canon, The Purple Rose of Cairo marked perhaps the pinnacle of his Mia Farrow era. This is a charming story about an abused, mousy woman (Farrow) who escapes from her alcoholic husband (Danny Aiello) by going to the movies and catching the attention of an on-screen film hero (played with wonderful knowingness by the under-appreciated Jeff Daniels). Allen reversed the effect of Buster Keaton's projectionist's entering a film in Sherlock Jr. by having Daniels's character come off the screen and into Farrow's life. One of several Allen pieces to exhibit his fascination with the entertainment culture of the earlier years of the 20th century (see also Radio Days, Broadway Danny Rose, Bullets over Broadway and Sweet and Lowdown), The Purple Rose of Cairo features a strong, straightforward script that is also not burdened by any actors trying to play Woody Allen. It is a perfect vehicle for Farrow, who is appealing and sympathetic, and the film dotes on her. The movie is redeemed not by a fairy-tale ending, but by an appreciation of the limits of escapism. It masterfully shows us why movies were so alluring during the Great Depression, and what function they served.

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