Eating Raoul (1982)

Director:

Paul Bartel

Writers:

Paul Bartel
Richard Blackburn

Release Date:

24 March 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Meet the Blands! They're square . . . They're in love . . . And they kill people. [Australia Theatrical]

Plot:

A relatively boring Los Angeles couple discover a bizarre, if not murderous way to get funding for opening a restaurant.

Plot Keywords:

Swinging | Restaurant | Wine | Black Comedy | Sex

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Paul Bartel	...	Paul Bland
Mary Woronov	...	Mary Bland
Robert Beltran	...	Raoul Mendoza
Susan Saiger	...	Doris the Dominatrix / Nurse Sally Cummings
Lynn Hobart	...	Lady Customer
Richard Paul	...	Mr. Cray - Liquor Store Owner
Mark Woods	...	Hold-up Man
John Shearin	...	Mr. Baker - the Horny Patient
Darcy Pulliam	...	Nurse Sheila
Ben Haller	...	Dewey
Roberta Spero	...	Swinger
Vernon Demetrius	...	Swinger
Arlene Harris	...	Swinger
Buster Wilson	...	Swinger
Marta Fergusson	...	Swinger
Garry Goodrow	...	Drunk Swinger
Richard Blackburn	...	James from the Valley
Hamilton Camp	...	John Peck - Dishonest Wine Buyer
Pamela Carter	...	Maid
Buck Henry	...	Mr. Leech
Anna Mathias	...	Ms. Adams - Bank Secretary
Hanns Manship	...	Guard
Beans Morocco	...	Bobby R. - "Very Bad Boy" (as Dan Barrows)
Allan Rich	...	Nazi
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Hippie
Billy Curtis	...	Little Person
Ralph Brannen	...	Raoul's Friend
John Paragon	...	Sex Shop Salesman
Don Steele	...	Howard Swine - Swingers Party Host
Rick Waln	...	Doris's Admirer at Swingers Party
Edie McClurg	...	Susan - Swinger in Fur
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert V. Barron	...	Butler at Swingers Party
Charles B. Griffith	...	(uncredited)
John Landis	...	Man who bumps into Mary at the bank (uncredited)

Directed by
Paul Bartel

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Paul Bartel
Richard Blackburn

Produced by
Richard Blackburn	....	associate producer
Anne Kimmel	....	producer

Original Music by
Arlon Ober

Cinematography by
Gary Thieltges		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Alan Toomayan

Production Design by
Robert Schulenberg

Makeup Department
Peter Knowlton	....	hair effects
Peter Knowlton	....	makeup effects
Gigi Williams	....	additional hair stylist
Gigi Williams	....	additional makeup artist

Production Management
Gary LaPoten	....	unit production manager (as Gary M. Lapoten)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mitchell Factor	....	second assistant director
Ira Halberstadt	....	second assistant director
Gary LaPoten	....	first assistant director (as Gary M. Lapoten)

Art Department
Loma Lee Brookbank	....	property master
Mike Hickman	....	erotic graphics
Jerie Kelter	....	art department assistant (as Jeri Kelter)
Denny Tedesco	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Steve Bowerman	....	boom operator
Richard Crommett	....	additional sound mixer (as Rick Crommet)
Gordon L. Day	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Gordon Day)
Richard Bryce Goodman	....	additional sound mixer (as Richard Goodman)
Val Kuklowsky	....	sound editor (as R. Val Kuklowsky)
Vahe Mansourian	....	boom operator
John Norman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Anthony Santa Croce	....	sound mixer
Christopher T. Welch	....	sound editor
Stan Wetzel	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Frank L. Pope	....	pyrotechnic effects (as Frank Pope)

Stunts
Bruce Paul Barbour	....	stunt double: Paul
Rick Seaman	....	stunt double: Raoul

Camera and Electrical Department
Kevin Brennan	....	grip
Anne S. Coffey	....	first assistant camera (as Ayne Coffey)
Bob Dennison	....	still photographer: end photo
Steve Dubin	....	additional first assistant camera
Steven Fierberg	....	additional gaffer (as Steve Fierberg)
Greg Gardiner	....	additional best boy electric (as Greg Gardner)
James J. Gilson	....	gaffer (as James Gilson)
Gary Graver	....	director of photography: second unit
Jim Grce	....	guest electrician
Karen Grossman	....	additional photographer
Fritz Hershey	....	additional first assistant camera
Jay Klepperman	....	second assistant camera (as Jay Klapperman)
Dwight Joseph Lavers	....	additional key grip (as Dwight La Vers)
Julio Macat	....	additional first assistant camera
Ray Maichen	....	additional best boy electric (as Raymond Machen)
Ron McCausland	....	best boy grip (as Ron McCausen)
Jim McEachen	....	electrician
Tracy Neftzger	....	key grip (as Tracy A. Neftzger)
David W. Nims	....	driver/grip (as Dave Nimms)
Woody Perkins	....	additional best boy grip (as H.C. Perkins)
Raymond M. Perosi	....	electrician (as Ray Perosi)
Todd Pike	....	additional first assistant camera
Craig Pointes	....	driver/grip
Larry S. Prinz	....	electrician (as Larry Prinz)
James Rosenthal	....	best boy electric
Richard Sands	....	electrician (as Rico Sands)
John Sorich	....	grip
Jeffrey Sudzin	....	additional gaffer
Thomas Thonson	....	additional first assistant camera
Thomas Vanghele	....	additional first assistant camera (as T.P. Vanghele)
Diana Wooten	....	additional second assistant camera (as Dianna Wooten)
Jeff Zimmerman	....	additional second assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Katherine Dover	....	costumer (as Kathy Dover)
Merry Lowry-Donner	....	assistant wardrobe (as Merry Lowry)

Editorial Department
Duncan Burns	....	apprentice editor
Paula Einstein	....	trailer editor
Tod Feuerman	....	trailer editor
Ron Lambert	....	color timer
Glenn Suffern	....	negative cutter
John Wilson	....	trailer editor (as John JB Wilson)

Music Department
Ira Hearshen	....	music producer
Michael Linn	....	music producer
Arlon Ober	....	music producer
Bobby Muzingo	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Marty Wereski	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Other crew
Carol Bahoric	....	atmosphere
Robert V. Barron	....	atmosphere
Wendy Bartel	....	assistant: Mr. Bartel
Marla Cannalla	....	atmosphere
Pamela Carter	....	production coordinator
Jon Daugherty	....	production assistant
Tim Forsyth	....	atmosphere (as Tim Forsight)
Irene Foster	....	atmosphere
Terrie Maxine Frankle	....	atmosphere
Carlos Gonzales	....	atmosphere
Mr. Goo Goo	....	atmosphere
Michael Goodwin	....	atmosphere
Chris Graver	....	atmosphere
Adam Greenman	....	location scout
Chuck Griffith	....	atmosphere
Rose Gurrola	....	production assistant
Dorothy Hungerford	....	production assistant
Mark Klein	....	atmosphere
John Langley	....	atmosphere
Kool Marder	....	location scout (as Kool Lusby)
Kimberly Maxwell	....	production assistant (as Kim Maxwell)
Myron Meisel	....	atmosphere
Mary Owens	....	atmosphere
Gideon Porath	....	production assistant
Sheryl Pressman	....	atmosphere
Sharron Reynolds	....	script supervisor
F.G. Roddick	....	atmosphere
Bob Schulenberg	....	main titles (as Robert Schulenberg)
Gil Valle	....	location equipment
Jor Van Kline	....	production assistant (as Jor Van Klein)
Ian Welch	....	atmosphere

Thanks
Rick Benson	....	the producers wish to thank
Bruce Berman	....	the producers wish to thank
Eugene Blythe	....	the producers wish to thank (as Gene Blythe)
Hank Brown	....	the producers wish to thank
Jerry Collamer	....	the producers wish to thank
Joseph Cosko Jr.	....	the producers wish to thank (as Joseph Cosco Jr.)
Joe Dante	....	the producers wish to thank
Jon Davison	....	the producers wish to thank
Miller Drake	....	the producers wish to thank
Michael Finnell	....	the producers wish to thank
Susan Gelb	....	the producers wish to thank
Theodore Gershuny	....	the producers wish to thank (as Ted Gershuny)
Dennis Glas	....	the producers wish to thank (as Dennis Glass)
Bert Glatstein	....	the producers wish to thank
Marshall Harvey	....	the producers wish to thank
Clark Henderson	....	the producers wish to thank
Panda Hoffmann	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge (as Panda Hoffman)
Kevin Hynes	....	the producers wish to thank
Marvin Jones	....	the producers wish to thank
Miles Kreuger	....	the producers wish to thank
John Landis	....	the producers wish to thank
Peter Manoogian	....	the producers wish to thank
Pamela Pettler	....	the producers wish to thank
Rob Pettler	....	the producers wish to thank
Richard Schulenberg	....	the producers wish to thank
Craig Simpson	....	the producers wish to thank
Donald E. Thorin Jr.	....	the producers wish to thank (as Don Thorin Jr.)
E. Waldo Ward	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge
Barry Washaw	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge (as Dr. Barry Warshaw)
Betty Whellor	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge
Patrick Winters	....	the producers wish to thank (as Pat Winters)

Production Companies

• Bartel
• Films Incorporated
• Quartet

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox International Classics (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• Quartet Films (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• CBS/Fox (video)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Criterion Collection, The (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
• Look Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Trama (Spain)

Other Companies

• Neiman-Tillar Associates  music editorial
• Art Fein of Hollywood  The Blands' interior decor by
• Jack Rabin & Associates  optical effects
• California Communications (CCI)  sound services
• Glen Glenn Sound Company  rerecording (as Glen Glenn Sound)
• Classic Wheels  the producers gratefully acknowledge (as Classic Wheels of Hollywood)
• Jack Daniels  the producers gratefully acknowledge (as Jack Daniels Distillery)
• Diplomat Restaurant  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Drive-A-Dream Division of Budget Rent-A-Car  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Hollywood Press, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• J&B Scotch Whisky  the producers gratefully acknowledge (as J&B Scotch)
• Johnson Yogurt  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Kay's Gourmet Catering  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Norma's La La  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• One Way Autos  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Orange Bang  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• Ramlösa Water  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• San Miguel Beer  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• The Pleasure Chest  the producers gratefully acknowledge
• City of Hope  hospital sequences photographed with the cooperation of (as City of Hope National Medical Center)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

90 min | Spain:87 min | 83 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Finland:K-18 | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (2003) | Iceland:12 | Norway:18 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bartel

Trivia:

Years after the film became a cult favorite, a sequel was scripted, in which a man blackmailed the Blands with knowledge of their killings. Chevy Chase was slated to play this man, and Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov would reprise their roles from the original, but Bartel died before it could get started.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The man killed while Mary is wearing the "cartoon mouse" costume can be seen breathing while lying on the floor.

Quotes:

Sex Shop Salesman:Okay, your vibrators start at $10.95 and go up. We've got the Salami, Man-o'-War and...
[pulls out huge vibrator]
Sex Shop Salesman:Alien.
Paul:Just give me the cheapest one.
Sex Shop Salesman:Wait a minute. There's nothing cheap about my store. You mean inexpensive don't you?
[pokes Paul on shoulder with "Alien" vibrator]
Sex Shop Salesman:Isn't that what you meant?
Paul:[intimidated] Yes.
Sex Shop Salesman:That's what I thought you meant!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Hot on the Trail

Outrageous black comedy

(Mary, on the phone) 'Hello officer, is this the police? Who do I speak to to report a murder?'

(Paul, from the bathroom) 'Not a murder, an accidental death!'

This is a delicious off-beat black comedy with some great dialog from writer-director Paul Bartel about Paul and Mary Bland (played by Paul Bartel and Mary Woronow), a super-square couple who want to get out of their building, because of the sex-crazed swingers that seem to live in just about every other apartment in the building. They both dream of opening their own little gourmet restaurant some day in the country, but since Mary is a nurse and Paul has just been fired from his job at a liquor store (he is a wine fanatic), they realize their dream will be almost impossible to realize. But things turn to their advantage, when they accidentally kill a drunken intruder who stumbled into their apartment, they get inspired and come up with an outrageous plan. They start to lure wealthy swingers to their apartment and kill them for their money, something the straight laced couple feel they deserve anyway.

I never even heard of Paul Bartel, but recently tumbled across this movie and I thought it was great, original to say the least. The late Bartel has accomplished a cult status for quite a while now, and deservedly so. The writing in particular is great but the execution is somewhat flawed. Paul Bartel obviously is a better writer than he is an actor and most of the cast deliver deadpan-performances. However, Robert Beltran as Raoul, is a standout. Directors Joe Dante and John Landis also appear in the film (unbilled) but I haven't spotted them (yet).

It's difficult to categorize this VERY weird film. The story goes that Bartel - as so many others of his generation - started his career as a Corman-protégée. Apparently he couldn't convince Roger Corman to finance the project, so he shot it on weekends for $500.000. It doesn't really show. Where did he spend the money on?. There are no special effects, practically no gore and no spectacular set pieces, it seems a lot of money for a film like this.

Nevertheless, great fun! Watch out for those opening credits with beautiful music to match as well!