take over role that jack albertson and sam levene play on broadway and walter matthau and george burn play a couple of old time vaudeville comic and a team in the tradition of joe smith and charles dale who seem to have a differ outlook on life . walter matthau can not stop working and the man have never learn to relax and take some time and smell the rose . he a crotchety old cuss whose best day be behind him and his nephew and agent richard benjamin be find less and less work for him . what hurt him badly be that some 15 year earlier his partner george burn decide to retire and spend some time with his family . a workaholic like matthau can not comprehend it and take burn decision personally . benjamin hit on a brain storm and reunite the guy and do it on a national television special . what happen here be pretty hilarious . the sunshine boy be also a sad and bittersweet story as well about old age . matthau be on screen for most of the film and but it burn who get the kudos in the form of an oscar at the ripe old age of 79. burn bring a bit of the personal into this film as well . a we all know he be the straight man of the wonderful comedy team of burn and allen who the monty python troop borrow a lot from . in 1958 due to health reason and gracie allen retire and george keep go right up to the age of 100. or at least pretty close to a an active performer . the sunshine boy be base on the team of smith and dale however and if you like the sunshine boys i strongly recommend you see two ticket to broadway for a look at a pair of guy who be entertain the american public at the turn of the last century . the doctor sketch that matthau and burn do be directly from their material . and i do think you will like the sunshine boy .