Top Ten Differences Between the 1967 and 1991 Versions of "Oscar"
The comedy stage play Oscar from 1958 has been adapted twice for the screen. In 1967, there was a French movie directed by Édouard Molinaro, and in 1991, an American adaptation was released under the direction of John Landis. The original movie stars Louis de Funès as the protagonist Bertrand Barnier, Claude Gensac as his wife Germaine, Claude Rich as his accountant Christian Martin, Agathe Natanson as his daughter Colette, Sylvia Saurel as his accountant's lover Jacqueline Bouillotte, and Mario David as a potential fiancé for his daughter, Philippe Dubois. The remake stars Sylvester Stallone as Angelo Snaps Provolone, Ornella Muti as his wife Sofia, Vincent Spano as his accountant Anthony Rossano, Marisa Tomei as his daughter Lisa, Elizabeth Barondes as his accountant's lover Theresa, and Tim Curry as a potential fiancé, Dr. Thornton Poole.The basic story that both versions share revolves around a wealthy man who is visited by his accountant early in the morning. The accountant asks for a significant raise in salary, explaining that he's in love with a woman from a wealthy family, and her parents won't let him marry her if he remains poor. Though initially shocked, the protagonist eventually agrees to the raise, only for the accountant to reveal that the woman he loves - and with whom he's been having an affair - is actually his boss's daughter.
The accountant also confesses that he has accumulated a substantial amount of money by secretly siphoning small sums from his boss, which he plans to give to his fiancée on their wedding day. Enraged, the protagonist confronts his daughter, who admits to having a boyfriend and wanting to marry him as well. When her father refuses, she follows her maid's advice and pretends to be pregnant, forcing him to agree to her marriage plans.
Meanwhile, the maid also reveals her own intention to marry. She is engaged to a wealthy family friend, prompting her to quit her job and plan to move out. Just when everything seems resolved, a young woman arrives and confesses that she has been posing as the protagonist's daughter to convince her lover - revealed to be the accountant - that she comes from a rich family. At this point, the protagonist realizes that his daughter's lover is actually another man, who turns out to be his former chauffeur, Oscar, who left the country after being fired. From this point on, the story spirals further into chaos, involving a substitute husband and three identical bags that continually get mixed up - one containing jewelry, one with money, and one with the maid's underwear.
The original film became a cult classic in several European countries over the decades, largely due to Louis de Funès' immense popularity and iconic status. The remake, while not as widely known in Europe, was still well received. In the United States, however, the 1967 movie remains mostly unknown, whereas the 1991 version received lukewarm reviews.
Both versions are among my personal favorite comedies, and I've watched each numerous times since I was a child. I still revisit them every few months. What makes the remake almost as good as the original is that it takes the core story and crafts something independent and fresh. There are several additions to the plot and new twists in the story, and the humor itself isn't just copied - it includes entirely new gags that always land. These differences make each film a unique, hilarious experience you can enjoy repeatedly. The 1991 version is a prime example of a well-done remake that respects the spirit of the original while standing as a great movie in its own right.
Let's take a look at the biggest differences between the films.
SPOILERS follow in the list.
The original movie is set in the then-current present, right where the movie was shot and released. The remake is set 60 years before the movie was released, also where the film was shot. Naturally, all names except for Oscar's were altered. The original names were all French, while the names in the remake are either English or Italian, as the movie's characters are (ex)-Mafia mobsters.
One of the biggest differences in the plot concerns the titular character. In both movies, Oscar has only a minor role and is barely on-screen. However, in the 1967 version, he appears halfway through the movie to come back to Colette, only to be beaten up by Dubois and run away. He returns at the end of the movie to propose to Colette, which both she and Barnier agree to.
In the 1991 version, the character does not appear until the very last moment, which is the wedding of both Theresa and Rossano, and Lisa and Dr. Poole, who fell in love over the course of the movie. Here, he objects to the wedding, and Provolone advises his henchmen to get rid of him. They then carry him out of the church.
In desperate need of a husband for the seemingly pregnant daughter of Barnier/Provolone, Martin/Rossano comes up with the idea of Colette/Lisa marrying one of her father's acquaintances. Philippe Dubois is the masseur of Barnier, and Dr. Thornton Poole is an English linguist who Provolone hired to teach him proper English.
Naturally, the two movies are set in different environments. Both houses the films are set in are luxurious, and the protagonists are wealthy. Still, the characters in the '60s movie are sneaky and corrupt but harmless, while a majority of the characters in the remake are either (ex-)criminals themselves or worked for them.
A recurring subplot is that no one believes Provolone wants to become a better and honest person. The police and a rival gangster, Vendetti, constantly observe him and interpret his planned meeting with the bankers as a fusion with another Mafia clan.
In the original version, we have Bertrand Barnier, his wife Germaine, his daughter Colette, his butler Charles, his masseur Philippe Dubois, his maid and soon-to-be-Baroness Bernadette, his accountant Christian Martin, his ex-chauffeur Oscar, Martin's lover Jacqueline, Jacqueline's mother Charlotte, and Bernadette's chauffeur.
All of these characters appear in the remake as well, some more altered than others (with Charles being split into three ex-henchmen of Provolone who now work as two butlers and a cook). However, we also get more characters, as well as a few extras, which aren't present in the original (except perhaps in the opening titles, which follow Martin's car driving to Barnier's).
There is Provolone's family, a few policemen, a few gangsters, a few paparazzi, four bankers, a priest, two tailors, and a spy.
Christian Martin gives Bertrand Barnier a couple of contracts for him to sign to keep his job and even get a promotion, including one blank paper that Barnier signs carelessly. Later on, we learn that Martin added text to it granting him full power over Barnier's bank account, allowing him to steal money to blackmail him.
Anthony Rossano has a higher position than Martin to begin with and already has full power long before the movie is set.
Germaine is often oblivious to what is going on in her house and is extremely carefree about all the actions, even somewhat amused. Sofia Provolone's first appearance is her angrily stomping into the house and shouting at her husband, and she continues this behavior throughout the film.
The difference can be best seen in one of the film's final moments when the character finds her husband arm in arm with Jacqueline's/Theresa's mother. Germaine is a bit puzzled, asks who the woman is, and then just walks off. Sofia, on the other hand, becomes jealous and advises her not to get too comfortable.
Of course, Provolone did more horrible things in his past, but Barnier is also a manipulative and dishonest industrial captain. The difference is that Provolone tries his best to become an honorable man, which is constantly challenged throughout the film, while Barnier never has such plans, to begin with.
You could easily take this as just one gag that wasn't used in the remake, like many others. However, this one scene in which Barnier starts losing his mind, talks gibberish, jumps around wildly, and pretends his nose is a violin like a lunatic, became the original movie's best-known scene.
Apart from one brief moment in which Provolone bangs his head against the table, he remains sane throughout the film.