Buddy Buddy (1981)

During a high profile Mafia testimony case in California's Riverside County, a hired killer checks into a hotel room near the courthouse, while his depressed next-door neighbor wants to commit suicide due to marital problems.

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Francis Veber (play), Francis Veber (story)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Paula Prentiss

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Victor Clooney
Walter Matthau	...	Trabucco
Paula Prentiss	...	Celia Clooney
Klaus Kinski	...	Dr. Hugo Zuckerbrot
Dana Elcar	...	Capt. Hubris
Miles Chapin	...	Eddie, the Bellhop
Michael Ensign	...	Assistant Manager
Joan Shawlee	...	Receptionist
Fil Formicola	...	Rudy 'Disco' Gambola
C.J. Hunt	...	Kowalski
Bette Raya	...	Mexican Maid
Ronnie Sperling	...	Hippy Husband
Suzie Galler	...	Pregnant Wife
John Schubeck	...	Newscaster
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Lieutenant #1

Storyline

Walter Matthau plays a professional killer going by the name of Trabucco, who is on his way to rub out gangster Rudy "Disco" Gambola, set to testify against the mob. As Trabucco heads off to a hotel across the street from the courthouse where he plans to set his hit, he runs into the depressed Victor Clooney, who laments the fact that his wife has left him for the head of a weird Californian sex clinic. Trabucco keeps walking and sets up his rifle in a hotel room. He is disturbed by Victor trying to hang himself in the adjoining hotel room and tries to prevent him from killing himself by restraining him, but Victor breaks loose and climbs onto the ledge of the hotel window. To get Victor to come back in, he agrees to drive him to the clinic to see his wife. The two go to the clinic where Victor's wife Celia informs Victor that she is in love in the head of the clinic, quack Dr. Zuckerbrot. When Victor finds out that Celia is filing for divorce, he heads back to the hotel to kill ...

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Plot Keywords:

champagne | cigar | poker game | repetition in title | remake of european film | 

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Taglines:

It's the beginning of a ferociously funny friendship...in this year's craziest comedy.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final film collaboration of long-time co-writers I.A.L. Diamond and director Billy Wilder. The picture was also the seventh and final collaboration of actor Jack Lemmon and director Billy Wilder and the third and final teaming of Walter Matthau and Wilder. Also, the final film directed by Billy Wilder.

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Goofs

When they arrive with the pregnant woman at the Zuckerbrot clinic the crew and equipment are more than once reflected on Trabucco's car.

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Quotes

Clooney: We've been together 12 years.
Celia Clooney: 12 years - as long as that!
Clooney: Well maybe they weren't great years but there were good weeks here and there.

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Alternate Versions

ABC edited 5 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in Billy Wilder Speaks (2006)

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Soundtracks

Cecilia
Written by Herman Ruby (uncredited) & Dave Dreyer (uncredited)
Sung by Michael Dees
Arranged by Pete Rugolo

User Reviews

what a waste

This was Billy Wilder's last film. The movie stars Walter Matthau as a hit man who quickly gets p***ed with Jack Lemmon who keeps bothering him with his problems. Matthau just wants to finish his job and Lemmon won't let him. There is hardly anything funny in here expect for a couple of small laughs. You should watch The Fortune Cookie instead.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buddy Buddy

Filming Locations:

Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,258,543

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,258,543

Company Credits

Production Co:

Heron Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1