Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)

Documentary film-maker Bob Sanders and his wife Carol attend a group therapy session that serves as the backdrop for the opening scenes of the film. Returning to their Los Angeles home, the... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Paul Mazursky, Larry Tucker

Stars:

Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliott Gould

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Wood	...	Carol Sanders
Robert Culp	...	Bob Sanders
Elliott Gould	...	Ted Henderson
Dyan Cannon	...	Alice Henderson
Horst Ebersberg	...	Horst
Lee Bergere	...	Emilio
Donald F. Muhich	...	Psychiatrist
Noble Lee Holderread Jr.	...	Sean Sanders
K.T. Stevens	...	Phyllis
Celeste Yarnall	...	Susan
Lynn Borden	...	Cutter
Linda Burton	...	Stewardess
Greg Mullavey	...	Tim - Group Leader
Andre Philippe	...	Oscar
Diane Berghoff	...	Myrna

Storyline

Documentary film-maker Bob Sanders and his wife Carol attend a group therapy session that serves as the backdrop for the opening scenes of the film. Returning to their Los Angeles home, the newly "enlightened" couple chastise their closest friends, Ted and Alice, for not coming to grips with their true feelings. Bob insists that everyone "feel" rather than intellectualize their emotions, and Carol pronounces "that's beautiful" after anyone says anything even remotely personal. Ted and Alice humor their friends, but it is obvious that there is a good-natured sexual tension at work within the foursome.

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Plot Keywords:

red tights | psychiatrist | breasts | adulterous husband | adulterous wife | 

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Taglines:

Consider the Possibilities

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 1970 (France)

Also Known As:

Bob & Carol

Filming Locations:

Riviera Hotel & Casino - 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$31,897,253

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,Frankovich Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To test the market, this film was shown in Denver, Colorado. It drew a lot of laughs.

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Goofs

In the restaurant kitchen, Carol takes hold of the waiter's left hand. In the next shot, she is holding his right hand.

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Quotes

Bob Sanders: A toast - to Alice.
Alice Henderson: Hey, why me?
Bob Sanders: Huh? Because, you're nice.
Alice Henderson: Hey, hey, hey, here's a toast to Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
Ted Henderson: That's a good - I'll drink to us.
Bob Sanders: Us and horns!
Alice Henderson: Of the grooviest people I've ever known.
Ted Henderson: Hey, I'm really getting drunk, you know that? Crocked!

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Connections

Referenced in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)

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Soundtracks

Burbank Brown
by Ray Greathouse and Morris Bachemin
Instrumental by Sweet Progress

User Reviews

Not particularly funny....but interesting

I found this film at a video store and immediately rented it out of curiosity. It stars Robert Culp, Natalie Wood, Elliot Gould, and Dyan Cannon as the namesakes respectively. I remember when I was a kid this film came out in 1969 so I really did not know anything about it other than it was supposed to be some kind of "sex comedy".

Well being an adult now and renting it, I found that it basically deals with 2 married couples, the ages of which suggest upper 30's to me. They decide to experimentally partake of the late 60's climate of free love, drugs, etc. I think that is where the film is supposed to derive its humor from.

Instead, the film plays like prolonged unfunny sketches on "Saturday Night Live" which they save for the end of the broadcast. However, I was compelled to keep watching the film to see what would be the result of their "experiment" The film did have some funny moments such as Elliot Gould fantasizing about a marital affair and Dyan Cannon at the shrink.

I give the film credit since I could not figure out what the ending would be like and was somewhat surprised by it when it happened. There is a second part of the ending right before the credits roll which still has me confused though. Overall, an OK film in my opinion.

Side Note: Natalie Wood and Dyan Cannon look pretty hot in this movie so if your a male like myself and always found these woman attractive, its a must rental !