Save the Tiger (1973)

A disillusioned aging decent man and once proud WWII veteran is dealing with midlife crisis as well as a tough moral dilemma. If he wants his small near-bankrupt clothing company to survive, he has two days to let go of his shaken morals.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writer:

Steve Shagan

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Jack Gilford, Laurie Heineman

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Harry Stoner
Jack Gilford	...	Phil Greene
Laurie Heineman	...	Myra
Norman Burton	...	Fred Mirrell
Patricia Smith	...	Janet Stoner
Thayer David	...	Charlie Robbins
William Hansen	...	Meyer
Harvey Jason	...	Rico
Liv Lindeland	...	Ula (as Liv Von Linden)
Lara Parker	...	Margo
Eloise Hardt	...	Jackie
Janina	...	Dusty
Ned Glass	...	Sid Fivush
Pearl Shear	...	Cashier
Biff Elliot	...	Tiger Petitioner (as Biff Elliott)

Storyline

The film depicts a day and a half in Harry Stoner's life. Harry is down on his luck, and trapped in his own indulgences. He daydreams about his youth, trying to escape from the fact that business is rotten and his company owes bundles of money. His day is filled with unusual episodes as he picks up a hitchhiker/prostitute, arranges for his company's warehouse to burn down so he can collect the insurance-money, he hires strippers for his buddies and gets engaged in an animal rights campaign, a fashion show and experiences a rather uncomfortable flashback to the war.

---

Plot Keywords:

one night stand | heart attack during sex | sexual fetish | high class prostitute | cheating husband | 

---

Taglines:

Jack Lemmon in his most important dramatic role since "The Days of Wine and Roses."

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

14 February 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sonhos do Passado

Filming Locations:

Roxbury Park - 471 S. Roxbury Dr, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Pictures, Cirandinha Productions, Jalem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Jack Gilford and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced - Steve Shagan and won one Oscar, for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Jack Lemmon.

---

Goofs

Harry wipes Fred's face almost completely clean of the red body paint. In a subsequent shot, Fred's face is covered with red paint again.

---

Quotes

Fred Mirrell: Harry, it's all those goddamn operations, the woman's all scarred up. I need these little diversions.

---

Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Dune/Starman/Mass Appeal/Runaway (1984)

---

Soundtracks

Stompin' At The Savoy
Composed by Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, Andy Razaf & Edgar M. Sampson

User Reviews

A powerful film.

"Save the Tiger" is not for everyone. If you are a fan of great acting and writing, and not bothered by a slow pace then this is a movie for you.

The film takes place all in one day and tells the story of a businessman on a downward spiral. Jack Lemmon (in a well deserved Oscar winning role) plays the owner of a clothing manufacturer. He is losing money and his mind. He has decided to hire an arsonist to destroy the business so he can collect the insurance money, much against the wishes of his partner (well played by Jack Gilford).

The film follows him that day as he comes to many life decisions while trying to avoid the nervous breakdown that is hauntingly close.

This is a film of raw power that never reaches out to us so strongly that we feel smothered by it all. It's pace is slow which makes the film all the more powerful. Two scenes that stand out are when he is to speak at a luncheon. As he speaks he begins seeing the audience not as normal, everyday people but as soldiers from the war he fought in. He is so overcome he can't finish his speech.

The other standout moment is when he meets the arsonist at the porno theater. The arsonist has been there and back 100 times and knows his business. He knows the right way to destroy a man's dreams for profit. To say the scene is frightening is an understatement. But it's a testament to the brilliant (and Oscar winning) screenplay by Steve Shagan.

This is one of those rare films for adults. Frightening, powerfully thought provoking. A must see for the true cinema buff.