The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)

Can a bickering odd couple in Manhattan become friends and maybe more? Owlish Felix is an unpublished writer who vents his frustration by reporting to the super that the woman in a ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

Bill Manhoff (play), Buck Henry (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbra Streisand, George Segal, Robert Klein

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbra Streisand	...	Doris
George Segal	...	Felix
Robert Klein	...	Barney
Allen Garfield	...	Dress Shop Proprietor
Roz Kelly	...	Eleanor
Jacques Sandulescu	...	Rapzinsky
Jack Manning	...	Mr. Weyderhaus
Grace Carney	...	Mrs. Weyderhaus
Barbara Anson	...	Miss Weyderhaus
Kim Chan	...	Theatre Cashier
Stan Gottlieb	...	Coatcheck Man
Joe Madden	...	Old Man Neighbor
Fay Sappington	...	Old Woman Neighbor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marilyn Chambers	...	Barney's Girl (as Evelyn Lang)

Storyline

Can a bickering odd couple in Manhattan become friends and maybe more? Owlish Felix is an unpublished writer who vents his frustration by reporting to the super that the woman in a neighboring flat takes the occasional payment for sex. She's Doris, more wildcat than pussycat, and when Felix's peeping-tom-tattle-tale routine gets her bounced from her apartment, she knocks at his door at 3 AM, aggressive and ticked off. They yell, lose another apartment, and pick up where they left off in a friend's flat and beyond. Dancing by the light of the moon seems unlikely for this owl and pussycat.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | animal in title | hooker | prostitution | independent film | 

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Taglines:

Can an owl and a pussycat?

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

El búho y la gatita

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rastar Pictures, Tom Ward Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Barbra Streisand's first non-musical film, and according to assistant director Gerrity, producer Ray Stark told him that Streisand was notoriously late and could Gerrity stay on her case. "The first day she comes in 30 minutes late," recalls Gerrity, "and I say, 'Good morning, Ms. Streisand. You owe me a half hour.' The next day she's right on time and we're still lighting the set. I tried to hide, but she found me and said, 'Get over here.' Then she whispered in my ear: 'We're even.'"

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Goofs

At the very beginning, Doris huddles in a doorway to get out of the rain. As a bus pulls up to the kerb, she starts to walk towards it, but in the next tighter shot Doris still in the doorway. The next shot, back on the street, Doris is already on her way towards the bus.

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Quotes

Felix: I'm extremely sorry but I don't know the story to "The Sound Of Music".
Doris: Oh no, that's terrible.
Felix: You thought "The Sound Of Music" was terrible?
Doris: Four times I saw that terrible movie.
Felix: You must have really hated it.
Doris: I saw it with my friend Eleanor at the Loew's King now torn down. It was playing continuous, no intermission. Get it?
Felix: I don't think so.
Doris: Her bladder burst.

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Connections

Referenced in Baadasssss Cinema (2002)

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Soundtracks

"The Warmup"
(uncredited)
Performed by Blood Sweat & Tears

User Reviews

Enjoyable film runs out of steam in the second half.

"The Owl and the Pussycat" is an uneven but generally enjoyable mix of comedy and romance, with a few dramatic undertones. There are some genuine laughs and some touching moments, but the movie's loudness occasionally goes over-the-line. Streisand is alternately appealing and annoying, sometimes both in the same scene. Segal is very enjoyable in his "everyman" role, and he makes the picture worth watching, although it does run out of steam in the second half.