The Adding Machine (1969)

An accountant whose job is about to be taken over by a computer starts to re-examine his life and his priorities.

Director:

Jerome Epstein

Writers:

Elmer Rice (play), Jerome Epstein (written for the screen by),

Stars:

Milo O'Shea, Phyllis Diller, Billie Whitelaw

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Milo O'Shea	...	Mr. Zero
Phyllis Diller	...	Mrs. Zero
Billie Whitelaw	...	Daisy Devore
Sydney Chaplin	...	Lieutenant Charles
Julian Glover	...	Shrdlu
Raymond Huntley	...	Smithers
Phil Brown	...	Don
Paddie O'Neil	...	Mabel
Libby Morris	...	Ethel
Hugh McDermott	...	Harry
Bill Nagy	...	Lawyer
Carol Cleveland	...	Judy
Bruce Boa	...	Detective
Kenny Damon	...	Joe
John Brandon	...	First cell jailer

Storyline

An accountant whose job is about to be taken over by a computer starts to re-examine his life and his priorities.

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Plot Keywords:

accountant | murder | employment | electric chair | afterlife | 

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Taglines:

The motion picture that adds up to an excursion into the absurd.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Comedy

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1969 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated London Films, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul McCartney was offered Shrdlu, as was Alan Bennett.

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Connections

Edited into The Clock (2010)

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Soundtracks

"How Small We Are, How Little We Know"
by Earl Wilson Jr. (as Earl Wilson Jnr.)

User Reviews

Compelling expressionistic play

This movie is different in so many ways from anything I have ever seen. Set in the 1930's, it has a modern feel with the "hippie" in heaven, etc. Phyllis Diller's performance is Oscar caliber and totally out of character. Her shrewish monologue is probably the greatest in movie history. Milo O'Shea aptly conveys the meaninglessness of Mr Zero. His reaction to the introduction of the adding machine is shocking, and the contrast with the following banality of typical party conversation (relevant even today) is most effective.

The movie suggests the vanity of human wishes as well as the despair in which the ordinary man spends life. Don't look for consistency or logic, as the movie creates an emotional rather than a rational reaction in the viewer through the presentation of a melange of philosophical ideas. Very interesting. "How Small We Are" packs a punch at the end of the movie.