Watch The Night They Raided Minsky's

The Night They Raided Minsky's is a delightful comedy-drama set in the 1920s, directed by William Friedkin and released in 1968. The film is based on the novel by Rowland Barber, which tells the story of a burlesque house in New York called Minsky's and the characters who work and live there. The story begins with Rachel Schpitendavel (Britt Ekland), a naive young woman from Amish country who has come to New York City to make a new life for herself. She finds herself unwittingly drawn into the world of burlesque when she stumbles upon Minsky's, a struggling theater owned by the colorful and eccentric Billy Minsky (Elliott Gould). There she meets Raymond Paine (Jason Robards), a cynical newspaper reporter who is sent to cover the story of the theater. Rachel quickly becomes fascinated by the bawdy and risque world of Minsky's and joins the chorus line.

The plot is centered around the efforts of Billy Minsky to revive his dying theater. To do so, he enlists the help of his brother Joey (Norman Wisdom), a simple but endearing man with a passion for comedy. Together they put on a series of sensational shows that attract huge crowds of enthusiastic patrons. However, their success comes to a halt when the authorities begin to take notice of the lewd and controversial nature of their shows. The police department, led by the stern and humorless Lieutenant Snyder (Denholm Elliott), make it their mission to close down the theater and shut down the performers who work within it.

The Night They Raided Minsky's is a colorful and energetic depiction of the world of burlesque in the 1920s. The cast of characters is lively and engaging, and the performances are both entertaining and funny. Jason Robards is particularly memorable as the cynical and world-weary newspaper reporter who is slowly won over by the charm and talent of the Minsky performers. Britt Ekland brings a sweet and innocent charm to her role as Rachel, and Norman Wisdom provides some wonderful comic relief as the hapless but lovable Joey.

The film is full of bright and lively musical numbers that capture the spirit of the era. The choreography is lively and energetic, and the costumes are flamboyant and fun. The film captures the excitement and energy of live performance, with scenes that showcase the skills of the talented performers who worked in the burlesque theaters of the time.

One of the strengths of The Night They Raided Minsky's is its ability to balance comedy with drama. While the film is primarily a comedy, it is also a poignant and moving tribute to the performers who worked in burlesque during a time when their craft was considered taboo. The film portrays the tenacity and dedication of these performers who were willing to risk their reputation and livelihoods to pursue their art.

The Night They Raided Minsky's is a delightful film that captures the spirit of a bygone era. Its colorful characters, lively performances, and evocative musical numbers make it a treat for the eyes and ears. The film is both amusing and touching, and its themes of perseverance, loyalty, and friendship will resonate with audiences of all ages.

The Night They Raided Minsky's is a 1968 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.