Harry and Tonto (1974)

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Paul Mazursky (written by) and
Josh Greenfeld (written by)

Release Date:

15 January 1975 (France)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

When his apartment building is torn down, a retired lifelong New Yorker goes on a cross country odyssey with his beloved cat Tonto.

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Retired | Teacher | New York City | Massage

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Art Carney	...	Harry Coombes
René Enríquez	...	Jesús - Deli Manager
Herbert Berghof	...	Jacob Rivetowski
Michael McCleery	...	Mugger
Avon Long	...	Leroy
Rashel Novikoff	...	Mrs. Rothman
Philip Bruns	...	Burt Coombes (as Phil Bruns)
Cliff De Young	...	Burt Coombes Jr.
Josh Mostel	...	Norman Coombes (as Joshua Mostel)
Dolly Jonah	...	Elaine Coombes
Sybil Bowan	...	Old Landlady
Joe Madden	...	Panhandler
Bette Howard	...	Morgue Clerk
Patricia Fay	...	Airport Security Woman
Muriel Beerman	...	Taxi Driver

Runtime:

Canada:115 min | USA:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | West Germany:18 | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Sweden:Btl | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Batavia, Illinois, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Pieces of liver were placed around Art Carney in order to attract the cats that played Tonto into cuddling with Carney in pivotal scenes.

Goofs:

Continuity: Leaving Harry's apartment, in the first shot, the trailer carrying his furniture is uncovered, in the second shot it's covered with a tarp.

Quotes:

Harry: Shirley?
Shirley: What?
Harry: Do you love me?
Shirley: Look, I'll tell you something, Harry: I don't always like you, but I do love you.
Harry: Then why do we always argue?
Shirley: I don't know. I guess that's the way we talk to each other, Harry.

Movie Connections:

References "Ironside" (1967)

Soundtrack:

Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing

A must-see if you haven't.....

Movies like this are generally not my thing, but being that I have a great love for cats I checked it out and thoroughly enjoyed it. Art Carney is great as an old man living in a NYC apt. with his cat Tonto, who must move when the building is being torn down. Life with relatives is not for him, he finds though, so through a series of misadventures he ends up hitchiking across country with Tonto. I was genuinely moved by the last 10 or 15 minutes, actually shed a tear or two, but the ending itself leaves one wondering exactly what happened with Harry. At any rate, a real joy, this one, for animal lovers and also for anyone that likes an old movie with no car crashes, explosions, gangstas, etc.!! Highly recommended.