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:

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice request the company of your pleasure.

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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

Karen Black auditioned for the part of Alice.

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Goofs

In the restaurant scene, Alice and Ted each start eating dessert. In the next scene, it is served to them.

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Quotes

Psychiatrist: When we come right up to the sex, you become embarrassed.
Alice Henderson: What am I... What would you like... What am I supposed to think?
Psychiatrist: I have no wants. Say what you think you'd like to say.
Alice Henderson: Do you think I need this? Do you really think you can help me?
Psychiatrist: I think it'd be useful to talk some more. I don't know for sure if I can help you or not. Do you think you can help yourself?
Alice Henderson: Ted is a very nervous man! Now sex is very important to a man! You know that!
Psychiatrist: Well, it seems that our time is up for today.

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Connections

Featured in Stars of the Silver Screen: Natalie Wood (2014)

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Soundtracks

I Needs to Be Be'd With
(uncredited)
Words and Music by Ernie Shelby and Quincy Jones
Sung by Johnny Wesley

User Reviews

Psychological partner-swapping that drags on with no payoff

Even though Natalie Wood stars in this film, it's not very good. It chronicles the healthy descent of four friends who fall into a cavalcade of swinging and partner-swapping to help their marriage after attending a secluded psychotherapy course. As everyone rejuvenates their sexual thinking and behavior, other problems rear their ugly heads, and the four realize only love is needed to revitalize a marriage.

It's pretty gutsy material for the time, and I'm fairly sure you wouldn't see a film this brave come from a major studio with big-name stars today. Still, it's just not very good! I didn't care for any of the characters, especially Robert Culp's portrayal of Bob Sanders and Dyan Cannon's whiny rendering of Alice Henderson, and the story just dragged on and on without any closure or action. I'd wait for this one to come on late at night when there's absolutely nothing else on!