the sad thing about robert benton the late show be that it have get lose in the shuffle when discuss the great movie of the nineteen seventy . this be a terrific piece of film noir that be pay homage to the great detective mystery of the forty . benton sharp screenplay be sensational in create colorful and likable and and original character . benton beautifully connect all the point of the complex plot by the end and leave the viewer completely satisfy . the all around act in the film be terrific and with lily tomlin supply comedic support to art carney lead detective ira well . the film however belong to the late and great art carney . carney give quite simply an amazing tour de force performance a the age ira well . he be a sad and lonely character who be socially awkward yet surprisingly tough . he be a great underdog character and who with carney in the lead role and the viewer can not help but to root for . after show his dramatic range and win an oscar for best actor for 1974 harry and tonto ( a personal favorite of mine ) and art be offer some terrific role and give some great performance . in many way carney performance in the late show be well then his performance in his other two great film of the seventy and harry and tonto and go in style . it be a treat and pleasure to watch him in the late show because it show a legendary and extroadinarily talented actor in full force . thankfully warner brother have release the late show on dvd ( now if only fox could release harry and tonto on dvd ) . for year it be very difficult to get on vhs . while the film may look a little dated and it hook the viewer with it story and act that you will be glad that you take a trip back to 1977 .