Director Richard Lester lends his frenetic style of direction in this film version of the Broadway musical comedy. Zero Mostel won the Tony Award for his stage performance as a slave in ancient Rome, who is willing to do whatever it takes to gain his freedom. He brings much of the exuberance to the film that helped him garner that prestigious award. Mostel aids his master's naive son, Michael Crawford, in meeting a virgin beauty in the town brothel next door with the expectation of earning that freedom. Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford, Buster Keaton, and many other comedy greats drum up some good laughs in their supporting roles. The film suffers, though, due to many uneven moments, especially a chase scene near the movie's climax. The best song and certainly the most famous is "Comedy Tonight."