Little Murders (1971)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Alan Arkin

Writers:

Jules Feiffer (play)
Jules Feiffer (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 February 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A girl brings home her latest boyfriend to meet her parents. This is done against the background of...

Plot Keywords:

Father Daughter Relationship | Murdered Brother | Murder Investigation | New York City | Closet

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Elliott Gould	...	Alfred Chamberlain
Marcia Rodd	...	Patsy Newquist
Vincent Gardenia	...	Mr. Newquist
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mrs. Newquist
Jon Korkes	...	Kenny Newquist
John Randolph	...	Mr. Chamberlain
Doris Roberts	...	Mrs. Chamberlain
Lou Jacobi	...	Judge Stern
Donald Sutherland	...	Rev. Dupas
Alan Arkin	...	Lt. Practice

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #22727) | Sweden:15 | USA:R (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Kiamesha Lake, New York, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Star Elliott Gould starred in the original 1967 Broadway production of "Little Murders", which flopped after one week of seven performances in late April at the Broadhurst Theatre. Gould was the only cast member to appear in the film, reprising his role as Alfred Chamberlain. The Broadway cast included Barbara Cook as Alfred's girlfriend and future wife Patsy Newquist, Heywood Hale Broun as her father Carol Newquist, Ruth White as her mother Marjorie, and David Steinberg as her brother Kenny. Phil Leeds appeared as Lt. Practice and Richard Schaal was Rev. Dupas. Alfred's parents did not appear as characters in the original play.

Quotes:

Patsy Newquist: Kissing you is like kissing white bread!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Rip Van Marlowe (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Skating in Central Park

Is it to late for this movie to have a cult following?

I just watched this film because my dad recommended it as a movie he

remember as being funny…mabey. I was skeptical at the beginning, I thought to myself a dated film with an absurd summery on the back. The only reason I sat and watched it was the list of actors, Sutherland and Gould. I was immediately enthralled. I have been a fan of Terry Gilliam films for a long time and to see a film that can achieve his insanity and social messages with out the elaborate sets and costumes Gilliam uses is astounding. The acting is superb, there is no other word that can encapsulate these performances. Every character is riveting until the end. The monologues given are thought provoking to say the least. My original thought that this film was dated could not be farther from the truth, I was in fact surprised by the connections that can be drawn to our modern times. I am surprised that this film did not receive more praise. It is also disappointing that the other Alan Arkin films were given less than glowing reviews. The only question I have is: is it to late to have a cult following for this movie? Anyone else in?