Eating Raoul (1982)

A relatively boring Los Angeles couple discovers a bizarre, if not murderous, way to get funding for opening a restaurant.

Director:

Paul Bartel

Writers:

Paul Bartel, Richard Blackburn

Stars:

Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Robert Beltran

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Bartel	...	Paul Bland
Mary Woronov	...	Mary Bland
Robert Beltran	...	Raoul Mendoza
Susan Saiger	...	Doris the Dominatrix / Nurse Sally Cummings
Lynn Hobart	...	Lady Customer
Richard Paul	...	Mr. Cray - Liquor Store Owner
Mark Woods	...	Hold-up Man
John Shearin	...	Mr. Baker - the Horny Patient
Darcy Pulliam	...	Nurse Sheila
Ben Haller	...	Dewey
Roberta Spero	...	Swinger
Vernon Demetrius	...	Swinger
Arlene Harris	...	Swinger
Buster Wilson	...	Swinger
Marta Fergusson	...	Swinger

Storyline

When a Paul enters his apartment to find Mary fighting off a swinger who has gotten into the wrong apartement (and thinks that Mary is just playing hard to get) he hits the man with a frying pan, killing him. Their dreams of running a small resturant seem to be in jeopardy until they decide to dispose of the body, keep the wallet, and to advertise for other sexually oriented visitors who are summarily killed, bagged, robbed and disposed of. This goes along quite well until one night a burglar named Raoul breaks in and cuts himself in for a piece of the action.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | sex party | cult film | cannibalism | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

A tasty comedy of bad manners.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

24 March 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Comiendose a Raúl

Filming Locations:

City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bartel,Films Incorporated,Quartet

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 83 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Bartel purchased the Blands' car, a 1955 Buick, from an automobile auction.

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Goofs

When Paul and Mary exit the elevator to go their apartment, the doors and carpet colors don't match those seen outside their own apartment in another shot just moments later.

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Quotes

Sex Shop Salesman: Okay, your vibrators start at $10.95 and go up. We've got the Salami, Man-o'-War and...
[pulls out huge vibrator]
Sex Shop Salesman: Alien.
Paul: Just give me the cheapest one.
Sex Shop Salesman: Wait a minute. There's nothing cheap about my store. You mean inexpensive don't you?
[pokes Paul on shoulder with "Alien" vibrator]
Sex Shop Salesman: Isn't that what you meant?
Paul: [intimidated] Yes.
Sex Shop Salesman: That's what I thought you meant!

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Crazy Credits

There is a credit for "Guest Electrician"

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1997)

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Soundtracks

El Amante Triste
Music by Arlon Ober
Lyrics by Roberto Beltran
Published by Logo Music
Performed by Bruce Scott

User Reviews

"Eating Raoul" should be the "gold standard" for black comedy ....10.0

No other black comedy, except perhaps "War of the Roses" comes close to the originality and cleverness of "Eating Raoul". It is totally outrageous, and that is what elevates the film to greatness. Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov play the "Blands" to perfection, and the unbelievable supporting cast is icing on the cake. The movie is so quotable, "Do you realize we just made $500? Yea, just by killing people", it's amazing. Check the numerous quotes on IMDb and you will see what I mean. Each viewing uncovers something new and hilarious about "Eating Raoul", strong testimony for it deserving the title "gold standard" of black comedy. - MERK