You've actually made me want to give this one a rewatch. It also brings to mind an interesting comparison film: KOTCH (1971), the only movie Jack Lemmon ever directed, also about a man of a certain age trying to find a new home, starring a too-young actor (Walter Matthau) in the lead. (Olivier apparently turned this role down, too, as did Fredric March.)
I don't think I've ever seen Kotch, either. I was always under the impression that it was terrible, but I might be getting it mixed up with another Lemmon/Matthau movie - maybe Buddy Buddy? I'll stick it on the list.
I'm also fascinated in Olivier's "road not taken." 1970-1, he would have been doing Eugene O'Neill at the National, but there's a part of me that would've loved to see him sell out. If Gielgud can play Dudley Moore's butler, then what larks Olivier could've had.
KOTCH is ... not good. It's a generation gap comedy written by the screenwriter of MURDER, MY SWEET. And it features maybe the most grating title song ever.
My Dad loved Jackie Gleason, so I came to know Art Carney early in life. I have seen the movie three times that I can remember. I want to see it again, but not for Art, for Tonto. I come from a family of Dog Lovers. After 64+ years of being surrounded by Dogs, the Cat distribution system brought a Cat into my life. What an exceptional event that has turned out to be. Cats are VERY COOL! Thanks for another outstanding review.
Fair warning: Tonto looks either miserable or utterly ambivalent for most of the movie, but he's a handsome lad. I've had the occasional dog, but cats have always been in the Banks house (never more than the number of humans - this is our rule). It's nice having a wee guy knocking around the place, pretending to be all independent when HE'D BE DEAD WITHOUT ME, YOU HEAR ME, CAT?
Yeah, I'm not good with animal stuff, either. This one was fine, because I think I'd emotionally checked out by the time Tonto gets suddenly and implausibly sick (he's still a robust looking fella at the end), but I was steeled for an ugly-cry.
You've actually made me want to give this one a rewatch. It also brings to mind an interesting comparison film: KOTCH (1971), the only movie Jack Lemmon ever directed, also about a man of a certain age trying to find a new home, starring a too-young actor (Walter Matthau) in the lead. (Olivier apparently turned this role down, too, as did Fredric March.)
I have never encountered Kotch, but I will be looking for it. One of my favorite Matthau films is Charley Varrick. Your post has me look for it too.
Varrick's definitely on the list - there's definitely something to be done about Matthau veering into a triple bill of great crime dramas.
I don't think I've ever seen Kotch, either. I was always under the impression that it was terrible, but I might be getting it mixed up with another Lemmon/Matthau movie - maybe Buddy Buddy? I'll stick it on the list.
I'm also fascinated in Olivier's "road not taken." 1970-1, he would have been doing Eugene O'Neill at the National, but there's a part of me that would've loved to see him sell out. If Gielgud can play Dudley Moore's butler, then what larks Olivier could've had.
KOTCH is ... not good. It's a generation gap comedy written by the screenwriter of MURDER, MY SWEET. And it features maybe the most grating title song ever.
My Dad loved Jackie Gleason, so I came to know Art Carney early in life. I have seen the movie three times that I can remember. I want to see it again, but not for Art, for Tonto. I come from a family of Dog Lovers. After 64+ years of being surrounded by Dogs, the Cat distribution system brought a Cat into my life. What an exceptional event that has turned out to be. Cats are VERY COOL! Thanks for another outstanding review.
Fair warning: Tonto looks either miserable or utterly ambivalent for most of the movie, but he's a handsome lad. I've had the occasional dog, but cats have always been in the Banks house (never more than the number of humans - this is our rule). It's nice having a wee guy knocking around the place, pretending to be all independent when HE'D BE DEAD WITHOUT ME, YOU HEAR ME, CAT?
I know I watched this movie, but I don't remember a damn thing about it. Thank you for reminding me why.
I simply can't watch movies where animals die.
People can beat each other bloody, but kill the cat? Forget it.
I've seen this one and will never watch it again. Awesome as Carney was as an actor.
Yeah, I'm not good with animal stuff, either. This one was fine, because I think I'd emotionally checked out by the time Tonto gets suddenly and implausibly sick (he's still a robust looking fella at the end), but I was steeled for an ugly-cry.