[Quick Summary: A series of stories showing radio's big influence on 1930s and 40s America.]
TWO THOUGHTS:
1) A DIFFERENT ALLEN FILM. Today's script is about the broader idea of radio's impact, and a departure from Allen's smaller, more character driven stories.
2) SLAPSTICK WITH PURPOSE. I find unmotivated slapstick uninteresting.
However, today's script combines slapstick with a purpose, i.e., political incorrectness, to make a point. I chuckled at this added clever commentary.
For example, in the scene below:
- Joe is the son, grade school age.
- Joe listens to the Avengers on the radio all the time. He wants an Avengers' ring more than anything.
- Joe and his friends are collecting money in cans for the Jewish National Fund.
- The kids break open the cans to count the pennies.
- Rabbi Baumel catches them and is ashamed they want it for Avengers' rings.
- Rabbi Baumel calls in Joe and his parents.
- The comedy comes from the characters saying that they take offense at something...then doing exactly that ("don't slap the kid", then he slaps the kid himself).
- The rabbi and father's hypocrisy is seen in the slapping.
INT. RABBI BAUMEL'S OFFICE. DAY.
...RABBI BAUMEL: This is not good. He must be disciplined. Radio has its place but once in awhile. Otherwise it tends to induce bad values, false dreams, lazy habits. To spend time listening to stories of foolishness and violence is no way for a boy to grow up.
JOE: You speak the truth, my faithful Indian companion.
The rabbi, taken aback, slaps him.
RABBI BAUMEL: To a rabbi you say, my faithful Indian companion?
FATHER: Hey -- don't hit my son!
RABBI BAUMEL: What kind of upbringing is this!?
FATHER (slapping kid): I'll hit him -- but you don't hit him!
RABBI BAUMEL (slaps kid): I know better how to teach fresh children.
FATHER (slaps kid): I said I'd hit him! Leave my son alone.
MOTHER (slaps kid): No, I'll hit him! Because you're too lenient with him!
FATHER (slaps kid): This is lenient!?
RABBI BAUMEL: I'm a faithful Indian? Such impertinence.
MOTHER (slaps kid): See, I'll teach him manners, Rabbi! You and that radio!
CUT TO:
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: The combination of two unrelated elements that make it funny.
I expect political correctness to be serious. I expect slapstick to be amusing. I don't expect political incorrectness to be combined with slapstick and create an unexpected new category.
Radio Days (1987)(undated draft)
by Woody Allen
