Wow, we feel exactly the same about this film. It's one movie I never get tired of watching and consider it to be one of the greatest films ever made, and indeed I was watching it last night when it was on TCM. And the scene you mention with the discussion of the "electric cattle prod" is probably my favorite moment in the film, especially the way that Jessica Lange (who in real life grew up on a farm) puts her handkerchief to her mouth to cover up her laughter. (I also love the line early on "How do you feel about Cleveland? ")HoldenIsHere wrote: ↑April 27th, 2024, 4:42 pm I own a copy of TOOTSIE, but I couldn't resist watching a few favorite moments when I saw it was available on Watch TCM.
I never tire of this one!
I've never been one to comment on who *should* have won an Oscar (these awards are based on votes from Academy members so whoever received the most votes earned the Oscar), but Dustin Hoffman's nuanced performance in TOOTSIE continues to amaze with repeat viewings.
Of course, Ben KIngsley received the Oscar that year for his work in the "serious" GANDHI, but my vote would have gone to Dustin Hoffman for his work in TOOTSIE. Comedies never seem to get the recognition they deserve in my opinion.
One of my favorite (of many) laugh-out-loud moments is from a segment depicting the taping of a scene from the soap opera SOUTHWEST GENERAL, where Dustin Hoffman's character Michael Dorsey (or rather his female alter ego Dorothy Michaels) portrays hospital administrator Emily Kimberly. (We have an actor playing an actor playing an actor playing a character.)
Also in this scene is Jessica Lange, whose character Julie Nichols portrays Nurse Charles on the soap opera.
We witness Michael/Dorothy going off script, with a shot of the teleprompter revealing what had actually been written.
JULIE (as NURSE CHARLES): I’m partially to blame, Miss Kimberly.
MICHAEL as DOROTHY (as EMILY): Yes.
JULIE (as NURSE CHARLES): I know I’m pretty. And I use it. I just guess I shouldn’t have gone to Dr. Brewster’s office so late.
MICHAEL as DOROTHY (as EMILY): Well, no, that’s not true. You know, Dr. Brewster has tried to seduce several nurses on this ward, always claiming to be in the throes of an uncontrollable impulse. [Going off script] Do you know what? I think I’m gonna give every nurse on this floor an electric cattle prod and instruct them to just zap him in his badoobies.
JULIE: [snorts]
MICHAEL as DOROTHY (as EMILY): [on phone] Ruby? Hi. You want to open up the yellow pages and under the section of “Farm Equipment Retail” . . .
And although Gandhi is a good film, I think Hoffman's performance here should have won. It's his career best.