The Sunshine Boys is a 1975 American comedy film directed by Herbert Ross and produced by Ray Stark, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and based on the 1972 play by Neil Simon about two legendary (and cranky) comics brought together for a reunion and revival of their famous vaudeville act.

When one of the major networks decides to air a program on the history of comedy and wants the Sunshine Boys to reunite for the show, Ben tries to secure the duo's cooperation one last time.

Ben attempts to manage the individual quirks of two old men in their twilight years, including omitting the abuse and insults that both used when discussing the other with him, and diplomatically portraying both as eager to do the "Doctor Sketch" for an ABC special to give the appearance of harmony.

[2] Benny was forced to withdraw after being diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer that would soon end his life, and he recommended his friend and fellow real-life vaudevillian veteran Burns, who had not been in a feature film since 1939, for the role.

The website's consensus reads: "Thanks to the sparkling chemistry between its stars and Herbert Ross' gentle direction, this sweetly ambling comedy ranks among Neil Simon's finest screen adaptations.

"[7] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that with Matthau "at the top of his most antisocial form" and Burns "giving a keenly funny, brilliant straight performance and with Mr. Simon delivering some of his best one-liners, the movie is extremely easy to take.

"[8] Arthur D. Murphy of Variety called it "an extremely sensitive and lovable film version of Neil Simon's play, with Walter Matthau and George Burns outstanding in their starring roles as a pair of long-hostile vaudeville partners".

"[10] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of the year's funniest yet most poignant pictures", adding that "Simon not only wrings much laughter from Lewis and Clark's predicament but also brings us very close to tears".

[11] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post called the film "more amusing than one might have expected, probably because Walter Matthau makes a surprisingly funny and plausible old coot".