California Suite (1978)

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Neil Simon (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 December 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The best two-hour vacation in town!

Plot:

Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Prostitute | Oscars | Actress | Tennis

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jane Fonda	...	Hannah Warren - Visitors from New York
Alan Alda	...	Bill Warren - Visitors from New York
Maggie Smith	...	Diana Barrie - Visitors from London
Michael Caine	...	Sidney Cochran - Visitors from London
Walter Matthau	...	Marvin Michaels - Visitors from Philadelphia
Elaine May	...	Millie Michaels - Visitors from Philadelphia
Herb Edelman	...	Harry Michaels - Visitors from Philadelphia (as Herbert Edelman)
Denise Galik	...	Bunny - Visitors from Philadelphia
Richard Pryor	...	Dr. Chauncey Gump - Visitors from Chicago
Bill Cosby	...	Dr. Willis Panama - Visitors from Chicago
Gloria Gifford	...	Lola Gump - Visitors from Chicago
Sheila Frazier	...	Bettina Panama - Visitors from Chicago
David Sheehan	...	Himself
Michael Boyle	...	Desk Clerk - At the Hotel
Len Lawson	...	Frank - At the Hotel

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's California Suite

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

21932 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Company:

Rastar Films

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "California Suite" by Neil Simon opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on June 10, 1976 and ran for 445 performances.

Goofs:

Continuity: When we first meet Hannah, her room number at the Beverly Hills Hotel is 305. Later, when she and Bill return from a day at the beach, the room number is 306.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[a two-seater plane is flying over snow-capped mountains]
Harold: For heaven's sake, Wendy - look for an airport. Will you look for the airport?
Diana Barrie: Oh don't make such a fuss. Just put it down on a mountain.
Harold: What do you mean 'just put it down'? I'm lucky I can keep it up. I told you I never flew before.
Diana Barrie: Don't shout at me - I'm a first-class passenger.
Harold: You're a first class lunatic. It's all over Wendy - our relationship has a quarter of a tank to go.
Diana Barrie: Yes, but - you do love me, don't you Harold? I know this is an awkward time to bring it up, but I must know, for our future.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Features Gilda (1946)

Sunny, likable movie, with flaws

I've always liked this movie, ever since I saw it in the theater as a 12-year-old. (With my church youth group, no less -- what were they thinking??) It's flawed, but generally fun, and I like the sun-soaked, palm-fringed atmosphere.

Maggie Smith is the undisputed standout. Her portrayal is brilliant and she and Michael Caine fling one-liners at each other with biting abandon. I've always liked both Jane Fonda and Alan Alda, so I enjoy their storyline too, though their exchanges seem forced and a little too clever. I'm a Cosby fan, but his scenes with Richard Pryor are uncomfortable -- it's troubling that the film's only black characters are relegated to brute physical comedy. Walter Matthau and Elaine May do a great job, but I never liked the hooker skit -- not sure why.

I buy very few films, but I do own this one, and over the years I've watched it so many times I know all the lines...