Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx Blu-ray Review

In the pantheon of overlooked cinematic gems from the 1970s, Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx stands out like a fresh pile of horse manure in the cobblestone streets of Dublin. It’s unassuming and somewhat distasteful at first glance, but rich with unexpected nourishment for the soul. Directed by Waris Hussein and released in 1970, this quirky romantic comedy stars Gene Wilder in one of his most endearingly offbeat roles, long before he became synonymous with Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory or Young Frankenstein’s madcap experiments.

Wilder’s Quackser Fortune is a simple, dung-collecting worker whose daily routine of scooping excrement from the city’s horse-drawn carts and peddling it around town as fertilizer allows him to drift comfortably through life. His lowly job forms the unlikely backdrop for a romance that’s as tender as it is bizarre. And at the heart of this film’s charm is the sparkling, cross-cultural courtship between Quackser and American Zazel Pierce, played with worldly wit by a young Margot Kidder. Together their innate chemistry elevates the story from mere oddity to a poignant exploration of love.

In the pantheon of overlooked cinematic gems from the 1970s, Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx stands out

The plot unfolds in a Dublin that’s caught between tradition and modernity, where Quackser’s family legacy of Irish manure merchants is threatened by the encroaching era of motorized vehicles. Wilder embodies Quackser with his signature wide-eyed innocence and manic energy, turning what could be a caricatured fool into a philosopher of the streets. He’s a man content with his lot until he crosses paths with Zazel, an American exchange student who’s studying at Trinity College.

Kidder, fresh off her early roles and years before her iconic Lois Lane in Superman, brings a breezy sophistication to Zazel. She’s an American who’s intellectually curious, culturally displaced, and just jaded enough to find Quackser’s unpolished authenticity irresistible. Their meeting isn’t your typical rom-com fare; it sparks amid the clatter of carts and the aroma of Quackser’s lowly job. What follows is a romance that’s quirky to its core, blending slapstick humor with subtle social commentary on class, nationality, and the absurdities of new love.

The film’s true magic lies in how it dissects this unlikely pairing. Quackser, with his childlike wonder and eccentric habits, represents a pure, unfiltered spirit, grounded in the earth’s most basic offerings. He’s prone to recite Shakespeare to his horse or daydream about his mythical cousin in the Bronx. Zazel, on the other hand, embodies the brash, ambitious American dream, her worldly perspective shaped by the urban grit of New York.

Their interactions crackle with screen magic: Wilder’s frantic, improvisational flair bounces off Kidder’s grounded sarcasm, creating moments that veer from hilarious misunderstandings (Quackser’s attempts to woo her with dung-derived gifts are gold) to deeply affecting intimacy. One scene, where they share a quiet picnic overlooking the Liffey River, captures the essence of their bond – two outsiders finding solace in each other’s oddities, bridging the Atlantic divide not with grand gestures, but with shared laughter and vulnerability.

Hussein’s direction keeps the tone light yet layered, drawing on the vibrant Dublin locales to underscore themes of obsolescence and reinvention. The supporting cast, including Eileen Colgan as Quackser’s domineering mother, adds familial friction that heightens the romance’s stakes. But it’s Wilder and Kidder’s dynamic that steals the show, making their quirky love story feel timeless. In an era of formulaic blockbusters, this film reminds us that romance thrives in the messiest places.

Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx may not always have the polish of mainstream hits, but its heart is in the right place. If you’re craving a feel-good flick with a side of whimsy, seek it out. It’s a hidden treasure that’ll leave you smiling, pondering the poetry in life’s lowliest pursuits.

Filmed on location in Dublin, Quackser Fortune’s cinematography resembles many low-budget productions shot during the early ’70s. There is mostly great news for fans regarding this BD from VCI. The main feature runs an uncut 86 minutes on a BD-25, shown approximately in the film’s original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Quackser’s film elements appear in healthy, stable condition with negligible damage. VCI has seemingly struck a new scan, reaping substantial benefits in clarity and definition while also wildly surpassing earlier DVDs.

A rather bad encoding glitch in the 1080p video mars one scene around 41 minutes into the movie. It’s apparent no effort at a simple QC check was made on the AVC encode before VCI shipped the disc to replicators.

Before running across the brief glitch I was prepared to give this otherwise film-like transfer a full five stars given its fine HD presentation. It’s still a beautiful effort that doesn’t attempt a revisionist color timing or radical grain management, maintaining a fine contrast and tastefully restrained primary colors. Black levels are solid, if not inky and deep. A young Margot Kidder looks positively radiant as the video pulls out lovely micro-detail in her features.

I can’t recommend this BD enough for Gene Wilder and Margot Kidder’s followers.

The provided 2.0 Dolby Digital audio in mono is underwhelming at best and occasionally wonky with clipping. Mostly flat and lacking any oomph in the musical score, dialogue reproduction is thankfully adequate. Serviceable fidelity when necessary, but don’t expect the sonic extension or impact of a Hollywood production. Think an early television movie’s audio standards for a comp.

Optional English SDH subtitles play in a white font.

VCI unleashes the underrated Gene Wilder comedy on Blu-ray in a no-frills package with a new audio commentary, a massive bonus given their previously barebones DVD.

The disc is coded for all regions.

Audio Commentary By Robert Kelly – A thoughtful, informative discussion of the film. This is a strong listen for fans.

Restored Original Theatrical Trailer (02:11 in HD)

The Night Visitor Trailer (02:24 in HD)

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage Trailer (02:44 in HD)

VCI Promo (00:35 in HD) – Precedes the main menu

Full disclosure: This Blu-ray was provided by the label for review. This has not materially affected DoBlu’s editorial process. For information on how we handle all review material, please visit DoBlu’s about us page.

The following six screen shots serve as samples for our subscription-exclusive set of 40 full resolution, uncompressed HD screen shots ripped directly from the Blu-ray: