Divorce American Style (1967)

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writers:

Robert Kaufman (story)
Norman Lear

Release Date:

21 June 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

This Love Story Has Three Sides... His Side... Her Side... And the Inside!

Plot:

After 17 years, things have got too predictable and stale. They argue, they visit a marriage counselor...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Lingerie Slip | Spoof Title | Satire

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Dick Van Dyke	...	Richard Harmon
Debbie Reynolds	...	Barbara Harmon
Jason Robards	...	Nelson Downes
Jean Simmons	...	Nancy Downes
Van Johnson	...	Al Yearling
Joe Flynn	...	Lionel Blandsforth
Shelley Berman	...	David Grieff
Martin Gabel	...	Dr. Zenwinn
Lee Grant	...	Dede Murphy
Pat Collins	...	Herself
Tom Bosley	...	Farley
Emmaline Henry	...	Fern Blandsforth
Richard Gautier	...	Larry Strickland (as Dick Gautier)
Tim Matheson	...	Mark Harmon (as Tim Matthieson)
Gary Goetzman	...	Jonathan Harmon
Eileen Brennan	...	Eunice Tase
Shelley Morrison	...	Jackie
Bella Bruck	...	Celia
John J. Anthony	...	Judge
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Abelar	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Arthur Abelson	...	Mr. Cook (uncredited)
Stanley Allan	...	Pat Collins' Assistant (uncredited)
Christopher Barry	...	Boy (uncredited)
Susan Bay	...	Waitress (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Bar Extra (uncredited)
Jan Burrell	...	Teddy (uncredited)
Robert Christopher	...	Ralph Ames (uncredited)
Cordy Clark	...	Wife (uncredited)
Tom D'Andrea	...	Mildred's Irate Husband (uncredited) (voice)
Fabian Dean	...	Husband (uncredited)
Harry Fleer	...	Bank Guard (uncredited)
Martine Fraser	...	Girl (uncredited)
Tony Fraser	...	Benji (uncredited)
Patsy Garrett	...	Phoebe (uncredited)
Bill Giorgio	...	Counterman (uncredited)
Robert Gmuer	...	Pat Collins' Assistant (uncredited)
Toni Gmuer	...	Hypnotic Subject (uncredited)
Doris Goodman	...	Hypnotic Subject (uncredited)
Donna Guthrie	...	Melissa (uncredited)
Kenneth Harp	...	Nancy's Date (uncredited)
Craig Hundley	...	Bruce (uncredited)
Harvey Johnson	...	Gloating Driver (uncredited)
Byron Kane	...	Husband (uncredited)
Barbara Kelley	...	Clerk (uncredited)
Oaky Miller	...	Bank Teller (uncredited)
Barbara Moore	...	Model (uncredited)
Ricki Norton	...	Harriet (uncredited)
Angel Pine	...	Cynthia (uncredited)
Charles Pinney	...	Howard Thresham (uncredited)
Remo Pisani	...	Husband (uncredited)
Joe Ploski	...	Man in Nightclub (uncredited)
Jackie Searl	...	Husband (uncredited)
Carol Anne Seflinger	...	Maggie (uncredited)
Suzanne Taylor	...	Feltman (uncredited)
Dodie Warren	...	Ruth Thresham (uncredited)
Dick Winslow	...	Card Player (uncredited)

Directed by
Bud Yorkin

Writing credits
Robert Kaufman		(story)
Norman Lear

Produced by
Norman Lear	....	producer

Original Music by
Dave Grusin

Cinematography by
Conrad L. Hall		(as Conrad Hall)

Film Editing by
Ferris Webster

Production Design by
Edward Stephenson

Set Decoration by
Frank Tuttle

Costume Design by
Bob Mackie

Makeup Department
Sydney Guilaroff	....	hair stylist
Ben Lane	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Howard Pine	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rusty Meek	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Jack Haynes	....	sound
William M. Randall Jr.	....	sound (as William Randall Jr.)
Charles J. Rice	....	sound supervisor

Camera and Electrical Department
Thomas Del Ruth	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Michael A. Jones	....	best boy (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Frances Lear	....	assistant costume designer

Music Department
Billy Byers	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Richard Hazard	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Frank Khoury	....	transportation (uncredited)

Production Companies

• National General Production Inc.
• Tandem Enterprises Inc.

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1967) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Fims (196?) (Belgium) (theatrical) (as Columbia Films S.A.B.)
• Columbia-Bavaria Filmgesellschaft m.b.H. (1967) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1969) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Columbia TriStar (video)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | West Germany:12 (old rating: 16) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

National General Production Inc.

Trivia:

Early in the movie they mention that they're paying their maid $250/month and that their house cost $49,000. Inflation adjust equivalents in 2010 are $1614.14/month for the maid and $316,372.14 for the house.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bathroom, Richard accidentally sprays water all over the mirror with when he fumbles with his WaterPic. Then Barbara walks over to the mirror and it's clean and dry.

Quotes:

Dede Murphy:So, since when do men grow up? They just grow old. You know what I call this apartment sometimes? Boys' Town.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Green Acres: Jealousy, English Style (#3.12)" (1967)

Soundtrack:

Let's Fall in Love

A Remarkably Witty and Scathingly Satirical Comedy. Nice Work

Divorce-American Style, a surprisingly intelligent effort from writers Kaufman and Lear and TV power-house director Bud Yorkin, was first in series of witty, satirical releases that included "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" and "Lovers and Other Strangers". This way-paving comedy featured the delightfully flustered pairing of Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds as a successful 'Married With Children' duo who, after years of supporting each another, simply tire. despite it's (minor) shortcomings, the sharp dialogue certainly justifies the screenplay oscar nod. Nice work. ***1/2 out of ****