Alice's Restaurant (1969)

A cinematic adaption of Arlo Guthrie's classic song story.

Director:

Arthur Penn

Writers:

Arlo Guthrie (song), Venable Herndon (screenplay),

Stars:

Arlo Guthrie, Patricia Quinn, James Broderick

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arlo Guthrie	...	Arlo Guthrie
Patricia Quinn	...	Alice Brock (as Pat Quinn)
James Broderick	...	Ray Brock
Pete Seeger	...	Himself
Lee Hays	...	Himself - Reverend at Evangelical Meeting
Michael McClanathan	...	Shelly
Geoff Outlaw	...	Roger Crowther
Tina Chen	...	Mari-chan
Kathleen Dabney	...	Karin
William Obanhein	...	Himself - Officer Obie
Seth Allen	...	Evangelist
Monroe Arnold	...	Blueglass
Joseph Boley	...	Woody Guthrie
Vinnette Carroll	...	Draft Clerk
Sylvia Davis	...	Marjorie Guthrie

Storyline

Arlo Guthrie's song is converted into a motion picture. Arlo goes to see Alice for Thanksgivng and as a favor takes her trash to the dump. When the dump is closed, he drops it on top of another pile of garbage at the bottom of a ravine. When the local sheriff finds out a major manhunt begins. Arlo manages to survive the courtroom experience but it haunts him when he is to be inducted into the army via the draft. The movie follows the song with Arlo's voice over as both music and narration.

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Plot Keywords:

pottery | satire | urination | hitchhiking | blizzard | 

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Taglines:

Where the heads of all nations meet

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

El restaurante de Alicia

Filming Locations:

Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$6,300,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elkins Entertainment, Florin

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although many people regarded Arlo Guthrie's recording of "The Alice's Restaurant Massacree" to be fiction, Arthur Penn, who owns a home in Stockbridge where the story takes place, realized it was for the most part based on events that had actually taken place. Therefore, what appears to be a continuity problem is in fact a correct representation of the facts. The movie portrays the actual photos used as evidence at the trial. The real life "blind judge" in Guthrie's song, "Judge James Hannon", also plays himself (James Hannon) in the film.

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Goofs

The scene where Alice spends the night in Arlo's rented room, that same night the boots Alice was wearing were black. The next scene when morning came Alice was seen putting on brown boots.

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Quotes

Girl: [as Arlo leads donkey into the church] You can ride him to Canada!
Boy: [about to be drafted] Been wondering how to get my ass across the border.

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Connections

Featured in Arthur Penn (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Boiling Cabbage Down"

• traditional

Performed by James Broderick

User Reviews

The #1 Thanksgiving Movie

I remember back in the 80s my Mom rented this movie and from the cover and title I didn't think I'd like it. Not only did I like it, but I now watch it every Thanksgiving season. I've always liked Arlo Guthrie's music and the soundtrack is excellent, featuring the title track which tells this true story. It's quite a fun movie, laced with moments of very serious elements like Woody, Arlo's dad, in the hospital. The scene in the hospital with Arlo and Pete Seeger singing the Car Car song to Woody in the hospital was very heartwarming. The characters are all colorful and enjoyable to watch and very typical of the folk scene in the late 60s, just before I was born.

***1/2 (Out of 4)