Twelve year old Nick Burns (Barry Gordon) lives with his eccentric unemployed uncle Murray (Jason Robards) in NYC. He was left behind years ago by Murray's free-living sister. They are visited by Child Welfare Sandra Markowitz (Barbara Harris) and her boyfriend superior Albert Amundson (William Daniels). Amundson threatens to take Nick away and Sandra breaks up with him. She falls for Murray completely. Murray's agent brother Arnold (Martin Balsam) pushes him to conform which would keep Nick. Murray goes back to his hated writing job for a children's TV show hosted by Leo (Gene Saks).
There are some terrific acting jobs. I would have preferred Murray to be much funnier. Jason Robards would find his philosophy go down a lot easier with some fun comedy. In the end, he's not a real comedian. The quirkiness is not gut busting funny. However I wouldn't eliminate any of the serious ideas in the movie. The conflict about conformity is still very compelling.
There are some terrific acting jobs. I would have preferred Murray to be much funnier. Jason Robards would find his philosophy go down a lot easier with some fun comedy. In the end, he's not a real comedian. The quirkiness is not gut busting funny. However I wouldn't eliminate any of the serious ideas in the movie. The conflict about conformity is still very compelling.