Make the Funny Man Run

Before stereos could go to eleven and the Dundies were awarded, Woody Allen answered one of the most puzzling questions of all: “What does abt mean?” It was posed by a teller to the bank robbery-obsessed loser played by Allen, Virgil Starkwell, in the mockumentary Take the Money and Run,...

By JOEY DAOUD

December 28, 2006

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Before stereos could go to eleven and the Dundies were awarded, Woody Allen answered one of the most puzzling questions of all: “What does abt mean?” It was posed by a teller to the bank robbery-obsessed loser played by Allen, Virgil Starkwell, in the mockumentary Take the Money and Run, the first film he wrote, directed, and starred in. “It's act. A-C-T. Act natural,” said the frustrated Virgil. “Please put $50,000 into this bag and act natural.”

With The Office on holiday hiatus and Christopher Guest’s wit slipping in For Your Consideration, relive the birth of the faux documentary with the film that would define Woody Allen’s comedy. Tonight at the Miami Beach Cinematheque, enjoy a screening that also includes the short Get the Script to Woody Allen, a film about a man obsessed with getting his screenplay to the hero he idolizes.
Sat., Dec. 30, 8:30 p.m.

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