Enter Laughing (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

David pursues acting against social, professional, financial, and personal doubts until his persistence earns him a place onstage.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Dream Beyond Deliveries

David works in a New York City machine shop while remaining fascinated by movies. Wanda and Mr. Foreman express doubts about his desire to pursue acting.

Key Events

• Delivery Boy Routine — David works as a delivery boy and assistant in Mr. Foreman's machine shop. Characters: David Kolowitz, Mr. Foreman Location: New York City machine shop
• Movie Fascination — David is fascinated by movies and dreams beyond his ordinary job. Characters: David Kolowitz Location: New York City
• Wanda Objects — Wanda expresses misgivings about David's interest in acting. Characters: David Kolowitz, Wanda Location: New York City
• Foreman's Misgivings — Mr. Foreman is also uneasy about David pursuing theater. Characters: David Kolowitz, Mr. Foreman Location: Machine shop
• Marvin Gives Advice — Marvin suggests that David join an Off-Broadway theater company. Characters: David Kolowitz, Marvin Location: New York City

The Price of Theater

Following Marvin's suggestion, David joins Harrison B. Marlowe's Off-Broadway company. He adopts the name Donald Colman but discovers that participation costs five dollars a week.

Key Events

• Marvin Gives Advice — Marvin suggests that David join an Off-Broadway theater company. Characters: David Kolowitz, Marvin Location: New York City
• Theater Company Found — David becomes involved with Harrison B. Marlowe's theater company. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Stage Name Chosen — Admiring Ronald Colman, David adopts the stage name Donald Colman. Characters: David Kolowitz Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Tuition Demand — David learns that participation requires five dollars per week for tuition. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Acting Instruction — David continues in the theater operation as a tuition-paying trainee. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater

Against Marlowe's Hostility

David continues training despite his limited acting talent and Marlowe's hostility. His persistence keeps the possibility of a stage career alive.

Key Events

• Acting Instruction — David continues in the theater operation as a tuition-paying trainee. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Marlowe Rejects David — Marlowe's hostility makes David's attempt to advance as an actor more difficult. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Talent Doubts — David perseveres despite his lack of acting talent and Marlowe's hostility. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• David Perseveres — David refuses to abandon his acting ambitions despite repeated difficulties. Characters: David Kolowitz Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Wanda Reconsiders — David's persistence keeps his theatrical goal alive despite Wanda's earlier doubts. Characters: David Kolowitz, Wanda Location: New York City
• Pressure Builds — David balances his machine-shop work with the demanding theater arrangement. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe, Mr. Foreman Location: New York City and theater

The First Performance

David receives an opportunity to perform and confronts the pressure of making his debut. He ultimately succeeds in appearing onstage despite the obstacles.

Key Events

• Pressure Builds — David balances his machine-shop work with the demanding theater arrangement. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe, Mr. Foreman Location: New York City and theater
• Debut Opportunity — David receives the opportunity to make his acting debut. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Backstage Nerves — David faces the immediate challenge of performing despite his limited talent. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Acting Debut — David successfully makes his acting debut. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater

Acting Without Payment

After David's debut, Wanda and Mr. Foreman accept his theatrical interest. His tuition is waived, allowing him to act for nothing.

Key Events

• Support Arrives — Wanda and Mr. Foreman accept David's new interest in acting. Characters: David Kolowitz, Wanda, Mr. Foreman Location: New York City
• Tuition Waived — David's five-dollar weekly tuition is waived. Characters: David Kolowitz, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater
• Act For Nothing — David is allowed to continue acting without paying tuition. Characters: David Kolowitz, Wanda, Harrison B. Marlowe Location: Off-Broadway theater

Story Breakdown

• Working Life — David begins in a practical job that contrasts with his fascination with movies.
  • Machine Shop — David works as a delivery boy and assistant for Mr. Foreman.
  • Movie Fascination — David is drawn toward the world of movies and performance.
• Early Doubts — People close to David question whether acting is a sensible direction.
  • Wanda Objects — Wanda has misgivings about David's theatrical ambitions.
  • Foreman Objects — Mr. Foreman is also uneasy about David pursuing theater.
• Marvin's Advice — A friend's suggestion gives David a practical route into theater.
  • Friend's Suggestion — Marvin recommends involvement with an Off-Broadway company.
  • Theater Entry — David joins the company run by Harrison B. Marlowe.
• Stage Identity — David reshapes his public identity around his admiration for a movie star.
  • Colman Admiration — David admires Ronald Colman.
  • Donald Colman — David adopts Donald Colman as his stage name.
• Theater Obstacles — The theatrical opportunity brings financial demands and personal resistance.
  • Weekly Tuition — The operation requires David to pay five dollars each week.
  • Marlowe's Hostility — David perseveres despite Marlowe's hostility and his own lack of talent.
• Debut And Release — David's persistence culminates in a debut followed by wider acceptance and financial relief.
  • First Performance — David overcomes the difficulties and makes his acting debut.
  • Fee Waived — His tuition is waived, allowing him to act for nothing.

Directed by

Carl Reiner

Key Cast

• Shelley Winters — Emma Kolowitz
• José Ferrer — Harrison B. Marlowe
• Elaine May — Angela Marlowe
• Janet Margolin — Wanda
• Jack Gilford — Mr. Foreman