Mister Buddwing (1966)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Evan Hunter (novel)
Dale Wasserman (writer)

Release Date:

15 July 1966 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Strangest Girl-Hunt A Man Ever Went On!

Plot:

An amnesiac wanders the streets of Manhattan, trying to solve the mystery of who he is.

Plot Keywords:

Amnesia | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

James Garner	...	Mister Buddwing
Jean Simmons	...	The Blonde
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Fiddle
Katharine Ross	...	Janet
Angela Lansbury	...	Gloria
George Voskovec	...	Shabby Old Man
Jack Gilford	...	Mr. Schwartz
Joe Mantell	...	1st Cab Driver
Raymond St. Jacques	...	Hank
Ken Lynch	...	Dan
Beeson Carroll	...	Policeman
Billy Halop	...	2nd Cab Driver
Michael Hadge	...	Counterman
Charles Seel	...	Printer
John Tracy	...	Tony

Also Known As:

Buddwing (USA) (working title)
Woman Without a Face

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (certficate #20963)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Cherokee Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Searchers for a Special City (1965)

Mediocre study of amnesiac during 24 hour identity search

This is one of the last black and white films to be released from a major studio. The industry had made a unilateral decision to cease making non-color films and as of the next year 1967, this was a fact. This drab and drear attempt at intrigue follows an amnesiac for 24 hours as he wanders around Manhattan trying to remember who he is. He keeps encountering women who remind him of someone named "Grace" and who trigger flashbacks (each played at different times of his relationship with Grace and each played by a different actress). We see the relationship disintegrate from a joyous college romance through unwanted pregnancy and financial difficulties to financial success but complete deterioration from within. The idea is a novel one and with a better script, direction and cast it might have proved to be of merit. Unfortunately all are lacking in the final product. The non-existant Art Direction and Costume Design were inexplicably nominated for Oscars - for the most part real locations are used and those that are fabricated are basic unadorned interiors with the clothing all contemporary and nothing at all distinguished - must have been a political studio vote - as quality productions were being made in color, only "B" films got the black and white treatment so there was decreasingly little of merit to applaud. Still the Academy had to fill those slots - they eliminated the B&W categories the next year.

The film is badly acted, boringly directed and flatly shot. The only things of interest are two cameo supporting performances: Angela Lansbury doing her Bette Davis in OF HUMAN BONDAGE impersonation (and very well, mind you); and Jean Simmons in a blonde wig doing her Vivien Leigh as Blanche du Bois impersonation (equally well).

Worth seeing and fast-forwarding for fans of these two actresses - otherwise, a crashing bore.