The Sunshine Boys

"The Sunshine Boys" is a comedy play by Neil Simon. It tells the story of two elderly vaudevillians, formerly partners, who have grown to hate each other over the years. When they have a chance to bring their old act to television, they have to learn how to get along with each other.

In 1975, it was made into a movie, starring Walter Matthau, George Burns, Richard Benjamin, Lee Meredith, Carol DeLuise, F. Murray Abraham, Howard Hesseman and Ron Rifkin.

The movie was adapted by Simon, and directed by Herbert Ross.

It won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (George Burns} and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Walter Matthau), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material.

Jack Benny had been signed to appear in the movie, bad health forced him to withdraw, and Burns took the role.

In 1995, a television version aired. It starred Woody Allen, Peter Falk, Michael McKean, Liev Schreiber, Edie Falco and Sarah Jessica Parker.