Wanting to avoid settling in a nursing home, Joseph Kotcher, a retired salesman, is obliged to leave his son's family. He embarks on a road trip during which he strikes up a friendship with...
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Title: Kotch (1971)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Walter Matthau | ... | Joseph P. Kotcher | |
| Deborah Winters | ... | Erica Herzenstiel | |
| Felicia Farr | ... | Wilma Kotcher | |
| Charles Aidman | ... | Gerald Kotcher | |
| Ellen Geer | ... | Vera Kotcher | |
 |
Donald Kowalski | ... | Duncan Kotcher |
|
|
Dean Kowalski | ... | Duncan Kotcher |
|
|
Arlen Stuart | ... | Mrs. Fisher |
|
|
Jane Connell | ... | Miss Roberts |
|
|
James Brodhead | ... | Mr. Weaver (as James E. Brodhead) |
|
|
Jessica Rains | ... | Dr. McKernan |
| Darrell Larson | ... | Vincent Perrin | |
| Biff Elliot | ... | Motel Manager | |
| Paul Picerni | ... | Dr. Caudillo | |
|
|
Lucy Saroyan | ... | Sissy |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Wanting to avoid settling in a nursing home, Joseph Kotcher, a retired salesman, is obliged to leave his son's family. He embarks on a road trip during which he strikes up a friendship with a pregnant teenager and begins to understand the true meaning of life as he helps the girl give birth to her child. Written by Anonymous
Plot Keywords:
old age | senility | based on novel | teenage pregnancy | gas station restroom |Taglines:
Walter Matthau in the role only he could make so excitingly different...you'll start talking about it from the opening scene. Jack Lemmon directs. He takes his talent 'behind' the camera for the first time to add a new, fresh dimension to his brilliant career.Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 September 1971 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ainda Há Fogo Sob as Cinzas See more »Filming Locations:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs, California, USACompany Credits
Production Co:
ABC Pictures Corporation,Kotch Company Productions,American Broadcasting Company (ABC) See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Dr. McKernan: Do you like "Alice In Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll?
Joseph P. Kotcher: I wouldn't like it by anyone else.
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
Kotch collects old bowling pins to throw into his fireplace to keep warm. In reality, the thick plastic coatings would create smoke and noxious fumes. See more »Quotes
[Kotch is being given a psychological exam by an obnoxious psychiatrist]Dr. McKernan: Do you like "Alice In Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll?
Joseph P. Kotcher: I wouldn't like it by anyone else.
See more »
Connections
Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau (1981) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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I first saw this back in the late '70's on TV. We loved it in the family, great fun, heart and performances. Matthau's intrepid, smart if slightly 'out There' Kotch is a unique character, well acted, and always someone we root for. It's not much different from the roles he would go onto play in the 90s, but...done by a younger man.
Sometimes the makeup and haircoloring doesn't quite look convincing, but that's okay too. The performance is put across as much by body language and posture as anything else.
The car is a great added touch-the knocking engine and etc a counterpoint to Kotch's own creaky body.
I liked Ellen Geer as the crabby daughter too-was surprised that she wound up in 'Phenomenon' and several other flix(Patriot Games) that I have seen before. Never made the connection.
It is dated sure, but that is inevitable with films. It's worth yer time.
*** outta **** Nice job by Lemmon, too.