The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)

A stuffy author enters into an explosive relationship with his neighbor, a foul-mouthed, freewheeling prostitute.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writers:

Bill Manhoff (play), Buck Henry (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbra Streisand, George Segal, Robert Klein

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbra Streisand	...	Doris
George Segal	...	Felix
Robert Klein	...	Barney
Allen Garfield	...	Dress Shop Proprietor
Roz Kelly	...	Eleanor
Jacques Sandulescu	...	Rapzinsky
Jack Manning	...	Mr. Weyderhaus
Grace Carney	...	Mrs. Weyderhaus
Barbara Anson	...	Miss Weyderhaus
Kim Chan	...	Theatre Cashier
Stan Gottlieb	...	Coatcheck Man
Joe Madden	...	Old Man Neighbor
Fay Sappington	...	Old Woman Neighbor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marilyn Chambers	...	Barney's Girl (as Evelyn Lang)

Storyline

Can a bickering odd couple in Manhattan become friends and maybe more? Owlish Felix is an unpublished writer who vents his frustration by reporting to the super that the woman in a neighboring flat takes the occasional payment for sex. She's Doris, more wildcat than pussycat, and when Felix's peeping-tom-tattle-tale routine gets her bounced from her apartment, she knocks at his door at 3 AM, aggressive and ticked off. They yell, lose another apartment, and pick up where they left off in a friend's flat and beyond. Dancing by the light of the moon seems unlikely for this owl and pussycat.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | apartment building | new york city | based on play | apartment | 

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Taglines:

When she starts mixing business and pleasure she goes out of business

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [us

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

El búho y la gatita

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$23,681,338

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rastar Pictures,Tom Ward Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Ray Stark was hoping to cast Elizabeth Taylor for the part of Doris. The picture was originally announced to be a comedy star vehicle for married actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Burton rejected the project with Rod Taylor then considered by producer Ray Stark for the leading man role from which then Taylor followed suit along with Burton and also turned-down the film down.

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Goofs

The binoculars in Doris's hand turn around between shots.

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Quotes

Felix: I don't write to make money.
Doris: But, you'd take it if they gave it to ya, wouldn't ya?
Felix: Yes. But, it would be inconsistent with my aesthetic responsibilities.
Doris: I understood "with" and "my".

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Connections

Referenced in The Falls (1980)

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Soundtracks

The Morning After
(uncredited)
Performed by Blood Sweat & Tears

User Reviews

Barbra goes mod! An old-fashioned comedy 'modernized'...

Adaptation of the Broadway play casts George Segal as an uptight New York City book-clerk who hopes to be a writer but can't get anything published; after calling the landlord one night on prostitute-neighbor Barbra Streisand, he finds her on his doorstep. She tells him she's a model and an actress--her third time on TV is in front of the elevator security camera! The two lovable losers banter back and forth before falling into uncertain love, and you could say the film is either nicely devoid of major plot devices or is an exceptionally thin romantic comedy. Streisand, her Brooklynese so thick she sometimes lapses into Cockney, wears tacky, hilarious hooker-outfits, but her shrillness isn't modulated (at least not in the first act) and she can sometimes be grating. The sex-talk is dated now, and the picture tends to look like a relic from a bygone era, yet it's an often funny film about opposites. Although too soft in its final scenes, director Herbert Ross changes speeds enough to keep things bubbling, even though his rhythm may put some viewers off. *** from ****