DVD Corner

The Late Show Blu-ray Review

Neo-noir fans will eat up “The Late Show.”

Written and directed by Robert Benton (and produced by Robert Altman), 1977’s “The Late Show” is a L.A. set neo-noir centered around a senior private detective (Ira Wells) who suffers from a bad gut, a bad leg, and bad hearing (he has a hearing aid). The story wastes no time as it begins with Ira’s partner Harry showing up on his doorstep dying from a bullet wound. Ira later attends Harry’s funeral and becomes mixed up in a complex web when he encounters Margo (a talkative wannabe actress) who is looking for her stolen cat. Margo’s cat dilemma is connected to Harry’s murder, but the trouble doesn’t end there as the case becomes increasingly more dangerous and complicated as it involves murder, stamps, stolen merchandise, an affair, and blackmail.

Taking inspiration from the film noir stories and characters of yesteryear, “The Late Show” (which truthfully sounds like a movie about late night talk show hosts) is a neo-noir filled with murder, mystery, comedy, and a very strange pairing of Art Carney and Lily Tomlin (more on that in a bit). Is it a bit on the convoluted side? Sure, but that’s not uncommon for film noir (“The Big Sleep” anyone?). Benton’s script (which was nominated for an Oscar) is very intricate and forces the viewer to pay attention and connect the dots. There’s a lot to follow here story wise, but what really grabs you is the dynamic between Ira and Margo. They are polar opposites in many respects including age and personality, but somehow these down on their luck souls form an unlikely connection. The characters are the heart and soul of the movie.

Speaking of Ira and Margo, Art Carney and Lily Tomlin are exquisite in the roles. Carney may always be most well known for “The Honeymooners,” but he shows real acting range as  a detective entering the twilight years of his life. Lily Tomlin tends to be cast in comedic roles and, indeed, her performance here is certainly on the comedic side. With that said, she brings a real humanity to this eccentric character and develops a memorable rapport with Carney.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? This Warner Archive disc offers up a stellar restoration that maintains the 70s look.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Viewers can expect a nice clean audio track.

Extras include a theatrical trailer and a segment from “Dinah” featuring Lily Tomlin.

May 28, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | 70s Movie, Art Carney, Lily Tomlin, Neo-Noir, The Late Show Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive