Don't Drink the Water

Don't Drink the Water (1969) starring Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons, Ted Bessell

Don’t Drink the Water (1969) starring Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons, Ted Bessell

In short,  Don’t Drink the Water is a cold war comedy based on a play by Woody Allen, starring Jackie Gleason as a New Jersey caterer who, along with his wife (Estelle Parsons) and daughter (Joan Delaney) who have their European vacation interrupted when their plane is forced to land in the fictional Communist nation of Vulgaria. Outside the plane, the family decides to take some photographs.  This leads to their being accused of spying, and forcing them to take refuge in the American embassy. However, the ambassador is absent, and his son (Ted Bessell,  That Girl) is in charge.
Don't Drink the Water (1969) starring Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons, Ted BessellThe family is going stir crazy, with the slightly zany cast of characters coming through the embassy.  IThis includes a nice bit by Avery  Schreiber as a sultan who’s swiftly insulted by Jackie Gleason and leaves in a huff.   A very funny scene has the Communist Commissar (played very well, by a funny Michael Constantine) lecturing the middle-aged “student protesters” on how, when and where to stage their “spontaneous” protest.   Another funny routine is where Jackie Gleason is holding a bomb thrown through a window during the “protest” that has to be disarmed with him holding it.  It gives Jackie Gleason opportunity to do silent clowning with his facial expressions, and Estelle Parson as the slightly ditsy wife as well.
With the help of the CIA, they plan to escape.  But the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray.  The fact that the daughter has fallen in love with the ambassador’s son only complicates the matter … or does it?
I remember watching  Don’t Drink the Water from when I was younger.  It’s just as funny over 40 years later, unlike some other Cold War comedies — €“ enjoy!

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Professional clown for over 25 years - happily married, with 5 children and 1 grandson