Where's Poppa? (1970)

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Robert Klane (novel)
Robert Klane (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 January 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

I wish momma would stop saying that! Yeah.

Plot:

When New York attorney Gordon Hocheiser meets Louise Callan, the girl of his dreams, he schemes to eliminate his aging...

Plot Keywords:

Love At First Sight | Military Officer | Bouquet | Lawyer | Elderly

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

George Segal	...	Gordon Hocheiser
Ruth Gordon	...	Mrs. Hocheiser
Ron Leibman	...	Sidney Hocheiser
Trish Van Devere	...	Louise Callan
Barnard Hughes	...	Col. Warren J. Hendricks
Vincent Gardenia	...	Coach Williams
Rae Allen	...	Gladys Hocheiser
Paul Sorvino	...	Owner of 'Gus & Grace's Home'
William LeMassena	...	Judge (as William Le Massena)
Michael McGuire	...	Army Lawyer
Rob Reiner	...	Roger
Joe Keyes Jr.	...	Gang Leader
Israel Lang	...	Muthafucka
Garrett Morris	...	Garrett
Arnold Williams	...	Arnold

Also Known As:

Going Ape (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

The Where's Poppa Company

Trivia:

Film debut of Trish Van Devere.

Quotes:

Mrs. Hocheiser: [after being dropped off at a retirement home] Poppa?
Poppa: Momma?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Mother Tucker (#5.2)" (2006)

A True Comic Classic!

The brothers Hocheiser make a solemn promise to their dying father that they will "never put their mother (Ruth Gordon) in a home." But brother Gordon (George Siegel) gets stuck with the old dingbat and she is wrecking his life. His law practice is falling apart, his sex life nonexistent, and he can't even hire a nurse to take care of the wacko. Then, suddenly, a nurse-- the girl of his dreams comes along, but mother has other ideas. This wonderful, creative, hilarious 1970 classic comedy directed by Carl Reiner with its gallows humor could not be made today. We have lost much of our artistic freedom to political correctness, commercial timidity and lack of creative talent. But don't take my word for it, ask Mel Brooks who has remarked that some of his movies could not be made today either. Fortunately we can get the video. The movie does require a somewhat offbeat taste to appreciate. Everything and everyone is in a kind of reality warp, the Hocheiser family, the Central Park muggers, the police, the nurse Louise (Patricia Van Devere). The movie is also comment on life in America in 1970, and on how family members manipulate each other with guilt. Finally, I like the ending the movie was released with, it really does work better artistically.

9/10

1970 87 minutes Rated:R CC.