Shopping From the Movies: Puzzles and Hand Puppets

I can only recommend Peter Bogdonavich's recently rereleased They All Laughed (1981) for two reasons: one, for the simple visual presence of Ben Gazarra, John Ritter and Audrey Hepburn in the same story space, and two, for the toy scene at FAO Schwarz. For those who might be curious about this film, let me assure you that the it's best watched on 4x fastforward, pausing on landmark views of vintage NYC (Rizzoli books, Squalid Times Square, the World Trade Center, roller disco and assorted eateries). Be sure and stop and pause, however, on each scene/outfit featuring Audrey Hepburn (her shades, her summer overcoat, her presciently popped collar)! Hepburn facilitates this accelerated screening by refusing to utter a line of dialogue until halfway through the film's second act (fastforwarding simply speeds her walk through the city and adds much needed motivation, forward movement, to the film)(my theory is that Bogdonavich could only afford Hepburn for two acts of spoken dialogue).

Since the late Seventies/early Eighties did not hold much in the way of state of the art gaming or home electronics (think life sized piano keyboard in Big), FAO Schwarz scene showcases a more beloved, analog set of amusements: an aisle of 3000 piece puzzles, an indoor air rifle set and the capper, a full display case of Steiff plush animals and hand puppets (possibly the last appearance by a Steiff toy in American cinema?).