Robert Goulet’s rich baritone came with a grand public manner that proved useful in screen comedy. We enjoy his willingness to make himself ridiculous, though the familiar lounge-singer image could leave little room for a different character.
Fi1m perspective
In Beetlejuice (1988), Robert Goulet’s Maxie Dean brings a familiar entertainer’s assurance into Tim Burton’s ghost comedy. Goulet’s lounge-singer image makes him useful casting: we recognise the grand manner before the film begins to make fun of it. His willingness to participate is what we value. Burton’s story wanders, but Goulet’s comic self-parody fits comfortably alongside the bad behaviour supplied by Michael Keaton. The part makes good use of a reputation established elsewhere.
That assurance had served him more straightforwardly in musical theatre. Goulet originated Sir Lancelot in Camelot (1960), opposite Richard Burton and Julie Andrews, and his rich baritone was particularly suited to romantic ballads. Recordings, stage work and Las Vegas appearances continued alongside his film and television roles. The later comic casting drew on a performer audiences already knew, with a manner they could recognise quickly. That gives a comedy a useful head start, although it can spare the writing work it ought to have done.
In Atlantic City (1980), he is credited simply as Singer, playing a version of that lounge persona. Louis Malle’s crime romance gets much of its warmth from Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, and Goulet’s contribution needs to be judged as a supporting one. We were moved by Lancaster’s ageing petty crook because his need for affection is so painfully clear. Malle’s fondness sometimes softens the danger, but the romance earns the time spent on it. Goulet’s appearance offers limited evidence for a broader claim about his dramatic acting.
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) later cast him as the comic villain Quentin Hapsburg, continuing the self-parody. There is pleasure in his readiness to look ridiculous, although repeating the joke risks becoming another restriction on what an audience will accept from him. His own assessment was plain: “I should have taken acting lessons, and maybe I would have done more film.” For his comic side, start with Beetlejuice and leave room for Keaton.
Biography
Robert Goulet (1933–2007) was an American singer and actor. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he spent much of his youth in Canada. He originated the role of Sir Lancelot in the 1960 Broadway musical Camelot, opposite Richard Burton and Julie Andrews.
Goulet appeared in films including Beetlejuice (1988) as Maxie Dean, Scrooged (1988) as himself, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) as Quentin Hapsburg, and provided the singing voice for Wheezy in Toy Story 2 (1999). He also voiced characters in series such as The Simpsons and Recess. He received Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards.
