Semi-Tough *** (1977, Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Jill Clayburgh) – Classic Movie Review 7573

Burt Reynolds is at his amiable best in director Michael Ritchie’s amusing 1977 satirical comedy Semi-Tough, based on Dan Jenkins’s 1972 novel about two football players with a mutual girlfriend.

Three’s company for footballer Billy Clyde Puckett (Burt Reynolds), team buddy Marvin ‘Shake’ Tiller (Kris Kristofferson) and team owner Big Ed Bookman (Robert Preston)’s daughter Barbara Jane Bookman (Jill Clayburgh) – until sex intervenes. Semi-tough hero Billy Clyde Puckett (Reynolds) really wants to be a writer and to wed Barbara Jane Bookman (Clayburgh).

Semi-Tough ambles around in a carefree way looking for targets to pillory and makes good use of some welcome, rarely cast players.

Also in the cast are Bert Convy, Lotte Lenya, Roger E Mosley, Richard Masur, Carl Weathers, Ron Silver, Brian Dennehy, Mary Jo Catlett, Joe Kapp and James MacKrell.

Semi-Tough is directed by Michael Ritchie, runs 108 minutes, is made by Charley Associates, is released by United Artists, is written by Ring Lardner Jr and Walter Bernstein, is shot by Charles Rosher Jr, is produced by David Merrick and is scored by Jerry Fielding.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7573

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