University of Virginia Library

Poorly Conceived

Frank Langella's character of
Bender is not well conceived, but
the actor's comic skills do manage
to come out and shine. Ron Moody
gives one of his best screen
performances as Vorobyaninov, the
legal heir to the jewels. The only
word I can use to describe Moody's
performance is "touching."

The supporting cast is a highly
talented mixture of American and
Yugoslav actors. David Lander and
Diane Copeland portray a couple
who must deal with DeLuise's
attempts to steal their furniture
from their cottage in Siberia. Elaine
Garreau is the best supporting
character in the film, portraying
Claudia the dying mother who
reveals the secret of the chairs to
Vorobyaninov.