The Kovacs Mystique
The Kovacs Mystique
| 01 January 1991 (USA)
The Kovacs Mystique Trailers

This televised biography special, hosted by Martin Short, examines the innovative work of comedian Ernie Kovacs, featuring a series of clips of his shows and performances. Short explains that Kovacs' work was "simple and innocent" on the surface, but featured a "grim" darker side that pleased his audience, including a memorable sketch in which his opera critic character used a shotgun to express his annoyance with a soprano's performance. He did most of his own writing and created a series of unique characters of various nationalities and professions, including a Prussian DJ and a bumbling magician. He played upon his experience as a second-generation immigrant, born to Hungarian parents, and his most famous characters included Miklos Molnar, a Hungarian cooking show host, and Leena, Queen of the Jungle. A pair of gag glasses helped Kovacs to create Percy Dovetails, a lisping poetry enthusiast of dubious talent.

Reviews
Karry Best movie of this year hands down!
Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Beulah Bram A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
Celia A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.