ENTER LAUGHING, 1967, Sony Repertory, 112 min. Carl Reiner's first feature is an astonishingly assured debut, with a visual polish and a deep sense of personal expression. Reni Santoni plays a young Jewish man who dreams of becoming a comedian during the Depression. Needless to say, his parents think that working in the family drugstore is a safer bet. Even in this early film, Reiner shows his skill at casting secondary roles, with a supporting cast that includes Shelley Winters, Elaine May, Jose Ferrer, Jack Gilford, Janet Margolin and Michael J. Pollard.
THE COMIC, 1969, Sony Repertory, 94 min. Dir. Carl Reiner. Dick Van Dyke plays an aging silent film clown who has seen better days, but whose ego prohibits him from accepting the truth about his life and career. An impeccable fidelity to the art of silent movies, combined with a rich, dark performance by Van Dyke, make this one of Reiner's most affecting and original efforts. With Mickey Rooney.