Charlie Bubbles (1967)

A married writer has an affair with his secretary.

Director:

Albert Finney

Writer:

Shelagh Delaney

Stars:

Albert Finney, Colin Blakely, Billie Whitelaw

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Finney	...	Charlie Bubbles
Colin Blakely	...	Smokey Pickles
Billie Whitelaw	...	Lottie Bubbles
Liza Minnelli	...	Eliza
Timothy Garland	...	Jack Bubbles
Richard Pearson	...	Accountant
Nicholas Phipps	...	Agent
Peter Sallis	...	Solicitor
Charles Hill	...	Head Waiter
Charles Lamb	...	Mr. Noseworthy
Margery Mason	...	Mrs. Noseworthy
Diana Coupland	...	Maud
George Innes	...	Garage Attendant
Arthur Pentelow	...	Man With Car
Alan Lake	...	Airman

Storyline

Charlie Bubbles, a writer, up from the working class of Manchester, England, who, in the course of becoming prematurely rich and famous, has mislaid a writer's basic tool - the capacity to feel and to respond. Now he must visit his estranged wife and son, whom he has set up on a farm outside his native city. His journey accidentally becomes an attempt to reestablish his connections with life, people, and his own history.

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Taglines:

If You Think You're Old Enough

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Berømmelsens pris

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Memorial Enterprises, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Quotes

Charlie Bubbles: The back door was wide open. Anybody could have walked in instead of me. You might have got a sex maniac.
Lottie Bubbles: Not with my luck.

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Soundtracks

"Cherry Ripe"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Syd Dale
Neo-Phonic Music Ltd

User Reviews

The distinction of the British classes...

Interesting but ultimately unmoving drama (with quirks) has the title-named character, a rich writer who lives in plushy comfort, unable to get over his guilt of having money. When Charlie visits his Northern haunts, where the streets are filled with potholes and the surroundings match the sky--all in gray--we wonder, "Why is he so obsessed with his early poverty?" and "Why can't he get on with his life?" Director-star Albert Finney doesn't give us much to go on (or maybe you have to be British to understand the symbols inherent in British society) and most of his film feels like a put-on. Liza Minnelli has a small part as an American secretary, and she occasionally pushes her kooky "Americanisms" too far; however, though the role isn't much, Minnelli has a strange, slightly zonked/slightly exotic presence, and when she performs in a low-key she's appealing. As Mrs. Bubbles, Billie Whitelaw got most of the acclaim, but it's Liza we remember. As for the much-talked about finale, I thought it profound in its fantastic way, but, like the rest of "Charlie Bubbles", it exists to please and understand itself, leaving the rest of us on the outside looking in. ** from ****