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The lists of the best films you've ever seen and of the films you'd most like to see again might overlap here and there, but they wouldn't be identical-a little high seriousness goes a long way. But I would be tempted to put Herb Gardner's "A Thousand Clowns" on both my lists.
His antic declaration of independence and his assaults on bureaucrats and other captives of procedures, customs and rules stays firmly in memory. It was funny, pointed and charismatically well acted by Jason Robards, Martin Balsam, Barbara Harris and their colleagues.
Balsam received an Academy Award for the film (which was also nominated for best picture, script and music). He's now starring in Gardner's new film, "The Goodbye People," which Gardner adapted from his play and, in his first such outing, also directed.
Gardner was in Los Angeles last week for the local opening and was a study in stereo nervousness. "Anytime I open anything, I feel like I'm landing on Iwo Jima," he said at lunch. Indeed, there were bursts of unfriendly fire from the critics, although there was more sorrow than anger in the tone.
He also gave up smoking three months ago and appears to be living on nicotine chewing gum and anguished memories. "I've gained 35 pounds. I'm becoming a nation. I'm going to have to get a flag and an ambassador."
Like most of Gardner's work, "The Goodbye People" has spiritual and literal links to his own...