Tobolowsky on Groundhog Day
I’m one of those who feel Groundhog Day is a near perfect comedy. I watch the film anytime I come across it and inevitably find something new to enjoy. It quite literally gets better with each subsequent viewing.
Of course, for any fan, it took but one viewing to fall in love with the character Ned Ryerson and the actor who portrayed him, the great Stephen Tobolowsky. He steals every scene he’s in, quite a remarkable feat because he’s opposite Bill Murray in every one of them.
The other day I was listening to a recent Sklar Brothers podcast which included an interview with the actor. He’s every bit as funny and disarming as he is on camera. And while they didn’t discuss Groundhog Day, I was ecstatic to learn that Tobolowsky has his own podcast called The Tobolowsky Files. Needless to say it took me all of two seconds to subscribe.
I went back through the archives immediately to see if there was one concerning the film. Sure Enough, Episode 29 centered on the making of Groundhog Day. If you’re even a passing fan of the film, it’s a must listen. Tobowlosky recounts his experience (which he remembers rather fondly) and gives inside details about how the film came together, a true exercise in “guerilla filmmaking,” he calls it. He weaves story into story, mixing insight, humor and heart, giving the listener an understanding of not just what it was like to be a participant in that particular film but also a collaborator in the filmmaking process in general.
One of the more interesting tales involves the scene in which Bill Murray’s character Phil Connors finally comes to the realization that he is stuck in time. Let’s just say what appears on the screen is far different than what was originally planned (and shot) and that, as Tobolowsky says, the film is far better for it — in fact, might be the movie it is because of it. It’s an incredible look into how “small” changes can radically affect the entire tone and meaning of a film. And Tobolowsky tells the story beautifully.
Listen to The Tobolowsky Files Episode 29: The Classic at Slash Film or download it from iTunes.
