Roger Ebert's disdain for Jim Backus' involvement in the 1984 sci-fi comedy 'Slapstick of Another Kind' is a fascinating tale of cinematic missteps and personal tastes. The film, an adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's semi-autobiographical novel 'Slapstick,' was a critical and commercial failure, with Ebert himself describing it as 'offensive' and 'very, very, very unfunny.'
The story begins with the Chinese government's belief that the key to human knowledge lies in twins. Enter Caleb and Letitia Swain (played by Jerry Lewis and Madeline Kahn), who welcome their twins, Wilbur and Eliza. However, the children are born with physical and mental disabilities, leading to a grim prognosis from the doctors. Fast forward 15 years, and the twins, now played by Lewis and Kahn, are revealed to be secret geniuses with telepathic abilities. This revelation sets the stage for a series of events that are, to say the least, bizarre.
The film's plot takes a turn when the twins are discovered by a Chinese ambassador and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who inform the parents that their children are actually aliens. Yes, you read that right. The Swain twins are revealed to be extraterrestrial beings, and their intelligence is so advanced that they decide to leave Earth, taking a spaceship with them. This twist, combined with the initial setup, makes for a movie that is, in Ebert's words, 'insensitive and cruel.'
Now, one might wonder why Jim Backus, a veteran actor known for his role in 'Gilligan's Island,' would agree to be part of this mess. The answer lies in the personal connection between Backus and the film's director, Steven Paul. Backus had appeared in a Broadway production of Vonnegut's play 'Happy Birthday Wanda June,' and his involvement in 'Slapstick' was likely a result of his previous collaboration with Paul. However, the film's outcome was far from what Backus or anyone else involved could have anticipated.
The critical reception of 'Slapstick of Another Kind' was overwhelmingly negative. Gene Siskel, Ebert's co-host on 'At the Movies,' described it as 'shockingly bad' and 'the single worst movie of 1984.' Ebert, true to form, was equally scathing, calling the film 'offensive' and 'unfunny.' He specifically criticized the scene where Jerry Lewis meets his twins and discovers their 'monsters,' deeming it 'unsavory and painful.' Ebert's review highlights the disconnect between the film's source material and its execution, suggesting that a more faithful adaptation could have redeemed the subject matter.
Despite the harsh criticism, the film's availability on Tubi offers a chance for audiences to form their own opinions. However, it's safe to say that 'Slapstick of Another Kind' is not a movie that will go down in cinematic history for its humor or its handling of sensitive themes. It serves as a reminder that even with a renowned author's work, a director's vision, and a talented cast, the result can be a missed opportunity. Perhaps, in the end, it's a testament to the power of personal taste and the subjective nature of comedy and entertainment.
