The Steve Martin Wild and Crazy Comedy Collection

Rating R Formats DVD Genre comedy Starring Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Mabel King, Richard Ward, Alan Ladd, Carl Reiner, Barbara Stanwyck, Charles Grodin, Judith Ivey, Steve Lawrence, Robyn Douglass Directed by Carl Reiner, Arthur Hiller Publisher Universal Pictures External Links Official Universal Pictures Website

The Steve Martin Wild and Crazy Comedy Collection consists of three films starring a man who I believe is one of the most brilliant comedians in the history of comedy (that includes ll of the tragic Greek theatre of ancient times). One of these films basically solidified his spot in the genre and the other two are forgotten gems, easily overshadowed by the commercial success of later Steve Martin films (i.e. Roxanne, L.A. Story). Unfortunately, Mr. Martin's recent work ranges from light family films, mediocre remakes, and sappy romances. Although he is highly respected as an actor and writer, it is his earlier work, a mix of toilet humor and slapstick that is best remembered.

Thanks to several runs as a recurring host on "Saturday Night Live," Martin had already been given a dose of success. However, the real payoff came with the 1979 classic, The Jerk. This film, in my opinion and in the opinion of many others, is Steve Martin in his purest, most raw form. Martin performance as the idiotic and um...jerkish Navin Johnson demonstrates everything that was great about Martin's stage act. However, the pacing of the film dampens the comedic experience greatly. In the first act, the laughs come at you like a full throttle Mack truck, only to be reduced to a mini-van that makes occasional rest stops. When the film is discussed amongst peers, only the following three things are brought up.

1. The opening "poor black child" scene
2. The classic sniper scene involving M. Emmet Walsh
3. Navin discovering his "special purpose"

Mind you, these scenes all come within the first 30 minutes. Don't get me wrong, there are more laughs to come, but they are very hit and miss and so few and far between. All in all, it is still hailed a classic and Martin's finest moment. While I am a bit skeptical about that second claim, The Jerk is definitely a highlight in his resume.

The second film in the collection is the overlooked 1982 comedy Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, a spoof on the great noir genre of the 40's and 50's. An original gimmick at the time, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid intertwines clips from actual noir films such as The Postman Always Rings Twice and Suspicion with recent black and white footage that involves Martin, Rachel Ward and director Carl Reiner. This satiric element, coupled with the great camerawork of Michael Chapman (of Raging Bull fame) makes for a very entertaining and unique visual experience; a great Steve Martin film that has been seemingly forgotten.

The final film is the weakest in the batch. Martin's first crack at a romantic comedy, the Arthur Hiller-directed, Neil Simon-penned The Lonely Guy. With these two on board, along with Martin, one would expect a brilliant work filled with great narrative smart dialogue and offbeat comedy. While there are bits of the three, everything seems standard and overdone. However, the film does have its great moments (the cardboard stand-up party with Martin and Charles Grodin is a classic moment), but in the end it comes off as a tame effort. Thankfully, Martin would score a hat trick in the romantic comedy field with All of Me, Roxanne and L.A. Story - all recommended viewing.

As for extras, we get the same lame crap that came with the "special editon" of The Jerk from last year, which consist of a ukulele lesson and some lame deleted scenes. Oh, you also get trailers for all three films. However, you get three films for the price of a Wal-Mart bargain bin film, so quit whining!

The Jerk and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid are definitely two installments of definitive Steve Martin comedy, while The Lonely Guy makes an acceptable date movie. While I can think of a handful of great Martin films that could've replaced the lonely guy, this affordable three pack is definitely worth the admission.