Dick Van Dyke stars as an outspoken pastor of Rock Springs, a small town in Iowa that is having serious financial and population problems. And then an opportunity comes along: a big-shot cigarette company offers $25 million to any town whose inhabitant's can seize smoking for 30 days straight to improve their broken image. Even though Rock Springs, Iowa is reluctant to do so, the town's inhabitants agree to the deal when the cigarette company thought that no one would. When looking at what Rock Springs Iowa is doing, the United State's citizens realize that giving up smoking is indeed possible and they use this town's almost heroic actions as a role model for their own personal benefit. The cigarette company soon realizes that this isn't good for business, so they try their hardest to make the town lose. In the mean time, Rock Springs is becoming a phenomenal tourist attraction; great for prosperity. 'Cold Turkey' is witty and entertaining but slows down toward the end. It still remains a hilarious and fun flick.
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Starring:
Dick Van Dyke, Pippa Scott, Tom Poston, Bob Newhart, Vincent Gardenia, Barnard Hughes, Edward Everett Gordon, Jean Stapleton, Graham Jarvis
Directed by:
Norman Lear
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1971 comedy
Rated PG.
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Don Ignacio's score: A-