I saw this film when it was first released, and then it disappeared. Years later, I found it on video tape for a few bucks when a store was going out of business and I snapped it up as soon as I saw it on the shelf. I LOVE this film. Paul Mazursky based this film loosely on his life, and he gave it a real feel for the early 50s. It's not for everyone - I'm not sure how younger people today would relate to it. And while I'm not as old as Mazursky, I still enjoyed the film very much when I was young and saw it in the theaters in 1976, and have enjoyed repeated viewings of it at home on the VCR. Lenny Baker, the lead, passed away in the early 80s, btw. But we still have Christopher Walken, and to see him so young and so "not" the caricature he has become is a joy to watch. Ellen Green, the female lead, will be remembered from "Litte Shop of Horrors," and many other TV appearances, such as in "Pushing Daisies." And what can one say about the inimitable Shelley Winters - she was the quintessential Jewish mother in this film. Look for a great little part by Jeff Goldblum - his career was just starting, too. OH, I almost forgot, Bill Murray does a cameo. See if you can find him. :D