The Odd Couple (1968)

Two friends try sharing an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day.

Director:

Gene Saks

Writers:

Neil Simon (play), Neil Simon (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Fiedler

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Lemmon	...	Felix Ungar
Walter Matthau	...	Oscar Madison
John Fiedler	...	Vinnie
Herb Edelman	...	Murray (as Herbert Edelman)
David Sheiner	...	Roy
Larry Haines	...	Speed
Monica Evans	...	Cecily Pigeon
Carole Shelley	...	Gwendolyn Pigeon
Iris Adrian	...	Waitress

Storyline

Felix Ungar has just broken up with his wife. Despondent, he goes to kill himself but is saved by his friend Oscar Madison. With nowhere else to go, Felix is urged by Oscar to move in with him, at least for a while. The only problem is that Felix is neat, tidy, and neurotic, whereas Oscar is slovenly and casual.

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Plot Keywords:

apartment | poker chip | restaurant | curse | crying | 

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Taglines:

Even More Funny On The Screen... Than It Was As A Broadway And City-To-City Stage Smash!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 1968 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Drôle de couple

Filming Locations:

190 Riverside Drive, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon opened at the Plymouth Theater on March 10, 1965, ran for 966 performances and was nominated for the 1965 Tony Award as Best Play. Walter Matthau won the 1965 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor.

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Goofs

When bowling, Felix gets a strike then says, "When you're right, you're right." Then goes to mark the score manually. He looks up and counts the pins left standing. But, he got a strike.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Felix Ungar: A room, please.
Hotel clerk: You alone?
[Felix nods]
Hotel clerk: Luggage?
[Felix shakes his head]
Hotel clerk: How long do you want it for?
Felix Ungar: Oh, not very long.
Hotel clerk: Five dollars.
[Felix isn't paying attention]
[...]

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Crazy Credits

When the credits for Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon are displayed, they are first in the wrong order (since Oscar also keeps mixing them up) and after a couple of seconds they shift to their correct positions.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Rule Britannia"
(1740) (uncredited)
Music by Thomas Augustine Arne
Words by James Thomson
Briefly sung a cappella by Walter Matthau

User Reviews

The Odd Couple is a comic gem

The Odd Couple is a comic gem. One the funniest script ever committed to celluloid - exceeded only by Strangelove, Spinal Tap and Lebowski! Lemmon and Matthau are best friends: obsessive compulsive Felix and sloppy, irresponsible Oscar. Oscar's wife has already left him because he is impossible to live with due to his irresponsible attitude. Felix's wife leaves him at the start of the movie, and after an aborted suicide attempt he moves in with poker buddy Oscar. Thats when the fun begins.

The entire script is brilliant and filled with brilliant one-liners. You are probably already familiar with the "F.U." joke but it still works brilliantly due to Matthau's comic timing.

My favorite moments are when Lemmon tries to clear his sinus in the diner and when the Pigeon sisters are being charmed by a very suave Matthau and Lemmon is totally out of his element. This one requires repeat viewings!