Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)

Mike Vecchio and Susan Henderson are preparing for their upcoming wedding. However, they seem to be the only two people at the wedding that are happy. Mike's brother Richie and his wife ... See full summary »

Director:

Cy Howard

Writers:

Joseph Bologna (play), Renée Taylor (play),

Stars:

Bea Arthur, Bonnie Bedelia, Michael Brandon

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bea Arthur	...	Bea Vecchio (as Beatrice Arthur)
Bonnie Bedelia	...	Susan Henderson
Michael Brandon	...	Mike Vecchio
Richard S. Castellano	...	Frank Vecchio (as Richard Castellano)
Bob Dishy	...	Jerry (as Robert Dishy)
Harry Guardino	...	Johnny
Marian Hailey	...	Brenda
Joseph Hindy	...	Ritchie Vecchio
Anne Jackson	...	Kathy
Diane Keaton	...	Joan Vecchio
Cloris Leachman	...	Bernice Henderson
Anne Meara	...	Wilma
Gig Young	...	Hal Henderson
Anthony Holland	...	Donaldson
Bob Kaliban	...	Hotel Clerk

Storyline

Mike Vecchio and Susan Henderson are preparing for their upcoming wedding. However, they seem to be the only two people at the wedding that are happy. Mike's brother Richie and his wife Joan are going through a divorce, which is upsetting his overly devout Catholic mother Beatrice. Also, Susan's father is carrying on an affair and her sex starved older sister Wilma is going through her troubles with her husband Johnny. All this is going on while Mike's best friend Jerry is trying to bed the maid of honor, Susan's cousin Brenda.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | wedding date | old maid | wedding reception | father in law | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 August 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amantes y otros extraños

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though Anne Meara (Wilma) portrayed Cloris Leachman's (Bernice) daughter in the film, there is only a six year age difference between the actresses.

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Goofs

Near the beginning of the movie, when Gig Young and Cloris Leachman are sitting on the couch with a mirror behind them, you can see a reflection of a crew member in the mirror as he tries to move out of the shot.

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Quotes

Jerry: Brenda, let me tell you something about pot. When you take it, your taste buds become so physically sensitive that a grapefruit tastes like caviar. Your whole ability to touch to love to see to understand to feel to know is magnified so you could split the universe open like a walnut and know its secrets.
Brenda: Okay, let me have some.
Jerry: I don't have any.

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Connections

Referenced in Homicide: Life on the Street: Strangers and Other Partners (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Comin' Thru To Me"
Music by Fred Karlin
Lyrics by Robb Royer (as Robb Wilson) and Jimmy Griffin (as Arthur James)
Performed by Country Coalition

User Reviews

Delightful, warm comedy

A couple decides to get married (finally) and we see the preparations and wedding from their point of view as well as her parents, his parents, and their other family members and friends. Originally a play with separate scenes presenting the different points of view, it was wonderfully and smoothly incorporated into one screenplay. Many memorable lines, scenes, and performances. This is another of the movies I consider to be perfectly cast, from the lead roles to the bit players. Don't see it alone--this movie was meant to be shared.