AboutBarbara L. Baker Expertise I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on film comedy (especially in the United States) and comic theory. I have a particular interest in satirical comedy, especially of the 1960s and 1970s. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film).
I am less able to answer questions about TV shows and series, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.
Experience Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films and TV shows.
Education/Credentials Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric
Question I need help in finding a movie that my family enjoyed, it was from possibly the late 70's -mid-80's. I know that it contained one of the following actors, if not both; Don Knotts, or Tim Conway. Here is all that we can remember: it contains several scenes that involve a grandmother of the local area mobster who is insane. When guests come to the mobster's house to visit, she jumps out the grandfather clock wearing a gorilla mask. She also peers at guests from underneath the glasstopped dining room table. She sticks celery in her ears. The mobster totally ignores behavior and expects his guests to as well. When the grandmother passes gas, the dog is blamed and is kicked. I saw that you had asked this same question in 2003 but never found out if you had found out the movie title. Please help this is a movie that my mom, dad and I watched when I was young and my dad passed away before thanksgiving and I want this for my mom.
Thanks for your help
God Bless
Cliff Franks
Answer Cliff, I found two possible titles for you. The first movie is the same one I gave for the 2003 answer. The only one with both Don Knotts and Tim Conway from this time period that also has gangsters in it is "The Prize Fighter" from 1979. The second is a Tim Conway film from 1986 called "The Longshot" which also involved gangsters at a race track.
However, I cannot be sure either of these is the film you are looking for, since there is no mention in any plot description I've found about insane grandmothers doing these things in either film. Yet clearly it was a memorable sequence, since your description is almost identical to the one I received 6 years ago from a different person! Conway and/or Knotts did other movies from 1976-1981, but all the rest were less likely than this one.
Since I can't be sure either of these is the film you are looking for, I suggest you go to the Internet Movie Data Base (imdb.com) and look up both films to see if the limited plot description there rings any bells for you. Both films are available on DVD, if one of them is the one you are seeking. If none are the film you are looking for, then I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.
