KBT Presents: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Done your Christmas shopping yet? As a way to compensate for the sugary sweet Christmas gobbledy-gook this time of year, the next two KBT screenings will be nasty (but still fun) comedies. Tonight, a nice showcase of Michael Caine and Steve Martin as a pair of con-men working the French Riveria with two distinct grifting styles. Caine's character is debonair and cultured, swindling the rich and royal of their fortunes. Martin's character is a low rent, vulgar American looking for a quick buck here and there. Naturally, the clash of these two opposites creates some great comedy. This is Caine during his comedy phase (between his gritty 70's films such as Get Carter and his more recent oscar-bait films such as The Cider House Rules (we will completely ignore Jaws: The Revenge)). Martin is also very good in his particular hammy way.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was directed by Yoda himself (Brando famously ridiculed him on the set of his recent heist film, The Score, addressing him only as another previous vocal role: Miss Piggy), Frank Oz. As in all of Mr. Oz's films, there is a sense of playful fun about the well plotted proceedings, there is nothing deeper than that. I figured for the remainder of the year (including next weeks presentation) there would be no more reading subtitles, exploring eliptical narratives, or dissecting obscure themes. So, come by at about 8:15, relax, turn off the brain and enjoy two fine comic performances.

As a side-note and worthy homework assignment, check out another Caine comedy classic which was released in the same year as this film, the Sherlock Holmes parody: Without a Clue.