So here's to you, Dustin Hoffman

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2000)

When Jerry Hall stripped off the other week in the West End version of The Graduate, the tabloids went into a frenzy over what must be one of the hottest shows in London.

If you can't get to the capital or don't fancy the idea of shelling out a packet for the privilege of seeing the leggy Texan as Mrs Robinson, you could always do the next best thing and watch the movie which inspired it.

Yes, when it comes to classic Sixties comedies, few are better than Mike Nichols' movie about a love tryst which defined an era.
There are four main reasons to choose this over the competition: Dustin Hoffman in his big screen debut, Anne Bancroft at her sexiest as the mature woman who tries to seduce him; Nichols' direction and best of all, that Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack.
Who could forget smash hits like The Sound of Silence and Mrs Robinson?
As with any great movie, this has been used as inspiration for a number of other films and TV shows, including Wayne's World 2 and one hilarious episode of The Simpsons in which grandpa recreates the memorable wedding ceremony - with chaotic results.
George Michael also got in on the act when he sampled Hoffman's dialogue for one of his funky numbers a few years ago. Needless to say, he wasted little time getting a ticket for the Hall performance.
But back to the movie.
In the early days of production, the director offered the pivotal role of Mrs Robinson to Doris Day who turned it down because she said "It offended my sense of values." Well, can you see Doris attempting to seduce a young man?
Thought not.
Robert Redford and Candice Bergen were also called in to read but they were not quite right.
It was a brave move to choose the unknown Dustin Hoffman over a box office favourite yet that decision gave the green light for many more New York stage actors to make the break in Hollywood.
The movie became the talk of the town in 1967 and was one of the favourites to reap an armful of Oscars, going up against Bonnie and Clyde and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Mike Nichols eventually walked away with Best Director - a plaudit which turned him into one of the hottest film-makers on the planet, although his follow-up, Catch-22, proved less than memorable.
Hoffman also became a solid gold star whose meticulous approach to his craft would become legendary.
With roles such as Midnight Cowboy, Marathon Man and Papillon all affirming his status as one of the best thesps in the business.