The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969)

Directors:

Bryan Forbes, John Huston

Writers:

Edward Anhalt, Jean Giraudoux (play),

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Paul Henreid, Oskar Homolka

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Countess Aurelia
Paul Henreid	...	The General
Oskar Homolka	...	The Commissar
Yul Brynner	...	The Chairman
Richard Chamberlain	...	Roderick
Edith Evans	...	Josephine
Donald Pleasence	...	The Prospector
Joellina Smadja	...	Prospector's girlfriend
Henri Virlojeux	...	The Peddler
John Gavin	...	The Reverend
Gordon Heath	...	The Folk Singer
Nanette Newman	...	Irma
George Hilsdon	...	Waiter
Henri Cogan	...	Waiter
Gerald Sim	...	Julius

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

foreign language adaptation | eiffel tower paris | based on play

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Taglines:

With the world getting ready to blow itself up, look who's minding the store.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1969 (Finland)

Also Known As:

La loca de Chaillot

Filming Locations:

Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Commonwealth United Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Irene Papas was offered but turned down the role of Josephine. She was replaced by Bryan Forbes regular Edith Evans.

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Quotes

The Ragpicker: Countess if only you knew... Shall we tell her?... Nothing Countess, it's you that are hiding. You see, there was a time when old clothes were as good as new. In fact they were better because when people wore clothes they gave something to them. But that was a long time ago, Countess. Just as, there was a time when... when garbage was a pleasure. Oh, it smelled a little strange or seemed confused, that's because there was everything there. The smell of sardine, of iendine, calone, roses. An ...

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Connections

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

User Reviews

Full of surprises

A fable of human and societal archetypes spanning the generations. But what wonderful surprises from Danny Kaye as the Ragpicker. His soliloquies during the trial demolish all the stereotypes of what he was capable of as an actor. Those moments, alone, are worth the fare. Kathryn Hepburn puts in a typically professional performance in a role she enjoyed. Donald Pleasance is marvelously malevolent as the Prospector. Yul Brynner is terrific in an atypical role - probably his best since "Invitation to a Gunfighter". If the story suffers from anything, it is overreach - too many characters of outlooks that are too similar wasted on name actors. John Gavin puts in a strange performance that could have been better filled by dozens of other actors.