‘Get Smart’ Then and Now
Posted on June 17, 2008 at 2:00 pm
The New York Times has a great feature on adapting the 1960’s television show “Get Smart” for the big screen, staying true to the spirit of the original and with in-jokes for the fans but updating it and making it appeal to new audiences.
This page has some scene by-scene comparisons — take a look.
Great Comparisons. I hope this movie does better thwan the first “Get Smart” movie – a disaster that even Chaos could not create.
The character of Don Adams contributed so much to the character of Maxwell Smart. He was an “Everyman” living out the “walter Mitty” adventures of “James Bond” (Is that enough references in one sentence?) I think Steve Carrell has begun to create a career like Adams’. However he does not have the same quality voice. Adams’ nasal voice was part of his charm – no resonant tones or phoney foreign accent – he was very middle class American. But at least Carrll does not try to imitate Adams.
As one of millions of American males smitten with Agent 99, I think the new 99 is going to have much the same effect. Again Hatheway did not try to mimic Feldon, and that is much better.
The one thing that is missing is the cheesy TV “special” effects. They helped keep the series in tone.
Well, here’s to Maxwell & 99! Good luck.