The Absent-Minded Waiter (1977)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Carl Gottlieb

Writer:

Steve Martin (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Plot:

Bernie Cates requests the services of the most absent-minded waiter he's ever seen, who pours water before setting the glasses, endlessly repeats questions, brings wrong orders, and ruins everything- but the bill. |

Plot Keywords:

Absent Minded | Waiter | Restaurant | Independent Film

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Steve Martin	...	Steven
Buck Henry	...	Bernie Cates
Teri Garr	...	Susan Cates
Ivor Barry	...	Carl
Naomi Stevens	...	Naomi
Dan Barrows	...	Cook #3
Peter Elbling	...	Cook #1
Kurt Taylor	...	Cook #2

Runtime:

7 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Unrated

Quotes:

Steven, The Waiter: All right, here's your drink order. One-two-three-four-five-six martinis, and your lard omelet.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Steve Martin Live (1986) (V)

Pure Martin

This is the kind of genius timing that Steve Martin is known for. The scene, however small, is a great example of the perfection of Martin's early stuff. Elements: Timing, extenuating circumstances, through line, immediacy, wonderful tactics, very clear obstacles and a perfect sense of doing it for the first time.