The Cemetery Club (1993)

This comedy with much Jewish humor is about the widows Doris, Ester and Lucille, who's husbands died one after another in just a few years. The 3 friends in their 50s react quite ... See full summary »

Director:

Bill Duke

Writers:

Ivan Menchell (play), Ivan Menchell (screenplay)

Stars:

Ellen Burstyn, Olympia Dukakis, Diane Ladd

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ellen Burstyn	...	Esther Moskowitz
Olympia Dukakis	...	Doris Silverman
Diane Ladd	...	Lucille Rubin
Danny Aiello	...	Ben Katz
Lainie Kazan	...	Selma
Jeff Howell	...	Paul
Christina Ricci	...	Jessica
Bernie Casey	...	John
Alan Manson	...	Abe Silverman
Sam Schwartz	...	Irving Jacobs
Stephen Pearlman	...	Rabbi
Gene Ray	...	Photographer
Allan Pinsker	...	Mel
Alice Eisner	...	Rene
Hy Anzell	...	Al

Storyline

This comedy with much Jewish humor is about the widows Doris, Ester and Lucille, who's husbands died one after another in just a few years. The 3 friends in their 50s react quite differently on the deaths. But they make it a habit to meet every year at the graves of their husbands and talk about perspectives in their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | widow | sitting shiva | loss of husband | bridesmaid | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sensuality and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Looking for a Live One

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$6,011,745 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Down To Earth Productions, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The music store used for Moskowitz Music is called Spratt Music, and it is outside of Pittsburgh, in Brentwood, PA. The Moskowitz sign created for the movie is still displayed in the window of the store as of 2000.

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Quotes

Esther Moskowitz: I think you've put too much make-up on me.
Lucille Rubin: There is no such thing as too much make-up.

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Connections

Features I Love Lucy (1951)

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Soundtracks

"Let The Dancing Begin"
Written and Performed by Eric Copley

User Reviews

Two Funerals and a Wedding

After 39 years of marriage, still-attractive music store owner Ellen Burstyn (as Esther Moskowitz) loses her husband to a heart attack. While paying her respects, Ms. Burstyn meets cop-turned-cab-driver Danny Aiello (as Benjamin "Ben" Katz ) in the Pittsburgh cemetery where their loved ones rest in peace. Burstyn and her friends have formed "The Cemetery Club" to mourn their dead husbands; the more traditionally inclined Olympia Dukakis (as Doris Silverman) masters the widow role, but Diane Ladd (as Lucille Rubin) seeks greener pastures. Inactive club member Lainie Kazan (as Selma) is most eager to dig up an new husband. Tired of her cemetery visits, Ms. Ladd shouts, "I refuse to be in a club where half the members are dead!" One of the film's consistently least affected performers, Burstyn wavers along the spectrum.

****** The Cemetery Club (2/3/93) Bill Duke ~ Ellen Burstyn, Danny Aiello, Olympia Dukakis, Diane Ladd