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Such a frustrating disappointment

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Although he wrote and directed this movie, Woody Allen doesn't appear on screen in Radio Days. He only narrates this one, recalling his life growing up in the olden days when people listened to entertaining shows on the radio. A thirteen-year-old Seth Green plays young Woody, and Julie Kavner and Michael Tucker play his bickering parents.There are several side plots involving his extended family and neighbors, and while Woody tries to connect everything to the glory days of radio, sometimes it feels like he's reaching too far. Mia Farrow plays a low-class cigarette girl who witnesses a random murder in a nightclub. The murderer's henchman, Danny Aiello, is ordered to kill the witness, but instead he falls in love with her. That part of the story is my favorite, but it isn't so adorable to make this one of my favorite Woody Allen movies. The rest of the stories and characters feel like they're only in place for cynical one-liners or little gags.As in most Woody Allen movies, there's a large cast, so be on the lookout for Dianne Wiest, Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy, Wallace Shawn, Larry David, Kenneth Mars, Mercedes Ruehl, Tony Roberts, and Diane Keaton. This one wasn't my favorite, but if you're partial to the radio or like lengthy reminisces, you can give it a try and see if you like it.

As a child I would ask my Parents what it was like growing up the 1940's. The War decade, no television,no bald point pens, no diet soda or even credit cards were not mainstream. My Mother would describe her youth sitting around the huge radio and listening to Jack Benny or The Shadow as well as my Father who would sneak off to the movies after Shul on Saturday. Take a bus to the Loews on Pitkin for a full day of entertainment for only one thin dime. My father also said something profound, "If it wasn't for World War II what would the newspapers write about besides the war?" Of course I couldn't imagine hearing second hand information and still wondered what it would be like as a kid growing up in the 1940's. Woody Allen's movie Radio Days nails all my answers accurately and visually with music and atmosphere. Set in Rockaway,New York in 1943 we follow and focus on two individuals, Sally White played by Mia Farrow who is naive, pretty, blonde and shapely but has a New York accent you could cut a with a knife. Even with the New Yawk accent as a hindrance didn't diminish her aspirations of being a radio star. This movie also shows us the life of a nine year old boy Joe who you assume is the narrator's character growing up and going to Public and Hebrew schools. Getting into mischief using his fund raising cash to buy a decoder ring which he heard of course on the radio to the displeasure of his parents. Having Joe's Parents meet with very conservative and physical Rabbi, (Ken Mars). as a slapping contest ensues between the grownups at the expense of the sore boy. Joe's parents are played by Julie Kavnor and Michael Tucker who constantly argue over the most mundane subjects as to which ocean is greater and old flames come up the likes of the late Sam Slotnick. Josh Mostel (Uncle Abe) who shares the home with his wife and their elderly parents as Grandpa is trying to fit a corset on dear Boby's cellulite ridden body. Uncle Abe the ichthyologist of the family always says, "Take the gas pipe." when ever he gives up. So many quirky idiosyncrasies with this family. Little Joe never finding out what his Father did for a living and Aunt Bea's (Dianne Wiest) search for the perfect Man. The Narration by Woody Allen adds to the texture of this magical timepiece. A mixture of little vignettes and radio songs and shows adds to the this walk through as we witness the turbulent decade. Yet so heartwarming and amusing that only Woody Allen's screenplay could present the feeling of actually being there. The cast is so colorful and witty. Each character bring a special spice of Americana to their roles. Allen's clever way of intertwining the radio programs with the characters in the movie. Aunt Bea's night on the town ruined by the phony Orson Wells broadcast of the famous hoax attack of Martians as her panic stricken Boyfriend leaves her alone at remote Breezy Point to fend for herself against the incoming aliens. The next day an apologetic boyfriend calls her for a second date but Bea reply's, " I've gone off to marry a Martian!" Another example is when Joe spills indelible ink from a chemistry set on his Mother's coat as the radio is playing conga music in the background to the dance steps of Aunt Bea who claims ,"You meet very interesting people in a conga line!" while an angry Father chases Joe around the house for anticipated strapping. A news bulletin interrupts the Latin beats as on the spot reporter broadcasts coverage from a well in New Jersey as a little girl is trapped at the bottom as drilling crews are on the scene trying to save the poor child. Meanwhile everyone in the house stops what they are doing including the impending chase between Father and Son as they end up holding each other to await the fate of the unfortunate little girl.The rest of the relative join together on the couch as everyone is overcome with poignant curiosity due to the distressing news. Riding on every word from the throaty announcer for any hopeful news from the well sight. Just the power of the medium called Radio. Woody Allen used certain songs which brought back personal memories for him in the development of this screenplay. Endless cameos throughout this masterpiece of broadcasting with the voices of Don Pardo and Jackson Beck. Visual appearances by Larry David, Jeff Daniels,and Kitty Carlisle Hart, Quiz Master Tony Roberts and vocalist Diane Keaton. Even New York Mets long time organist Jane Jarvis is part of an all woman's quartet. Great cast, well cast,colorful and unquestionably authentic. Bravo Mr. Allen so many questions answered.

I am watching RADIO DAYS on Hulu as I write this. Supposedly Roger Ebert gave it four stars. I don't think all the simultaneous parallel plot lines work. The one with Mia Farrow's radio star is virtually disconnected from everything else. At least the other characters cross paths peripherally, but her story is mostly standalone and almost belongs to another movie. I think some of the bits meant to be humorous try too hard to be 'funny.' The kid getting whipped by the rabbi and his parents over the decoder ring was definitely overplayed. The Miss Gordon episode, where the boys had seen the substitute teacher undressing in front of a mirror seemed off to me. Kids that age would be giggling, embarrassed that they had seen her partially naked. They wouldn't be acting lascivious, especially if they hadn't reached puberty yet and clearly these boys were too young to have hit puberty.Another issue I have with the film is that Allen doesn't let the actors bring their own unique performance styles into the roles. Basically they are all mouthing, like puppets, Allen's latest jokes or exasperated musings-- and they all (including the women) sound like extensions of Allen's own persona. So basically it's like having Allen playing every part, just the faces and shapes of the characters are different. On the upside, the music is good. I particularly liked hearing the Carmen Miranda tune. And the coffee jingle with Kitty Carlisle Hart is certainly a highlight.

Every time I see this film I find myself enjoying it, as it has to do with one the periods in history that is a favorite: the Second World War. I like the movies from the era, and the music, and it is nice to see a film that goes into what life was like for a certain family in Brooklyn and how they handle their many problems and still continue to care and love another. Besides the nostalgic aspects of the film, another thing that I like about it (and I know that others will likely hate me for this) Allen is no where to be found! He is only the narrator, and I have no problem with that, considering that his acting is stupid and awful. It is a good family film, and should be shared in this setting, because it exhibits what we were and what we may become again. Then I see that Seth Rogan is the kid in this, and realize that he should have never been offered the role in Green Hornet (which was a radio show back in the thirties and forties, which is the era that this film is based in) and that movie was a Hollywood turd, but I digress.