Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)

Director:

Cy Howard

Writers:

Joseph Bologna (play)
Joseph Bologna (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 August 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Mike Vecchio and Susan Henderson are preparing for their upcoming wedding. However, they seem to be the only two people at the wedding that are happy...

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Old Maid | Wedding Date | Bathroom | Estranged Couple

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Bea Arthur	...	Bea Vecchio
Bonnie Bedelia	...	Susan Henderson
Michael Brandon	...	Mike Vecchio
Richard S. Castellano	...	Frank Vecchio (as Richard Castellano)
Bob Dishy	...	Jerry (as Robert Dishy)
Harry Guardino	...	Johnny
Marian Hailey	...	Brenda
Joseph Hindy	...	Ritchie Vecchio
Anne Jackson	...	Kathy
Diane Keaton	...	Joan Vecchio
Cloris Leachman	...	Bernice Henderson
Anne Meara	...	Wilma
Gig Young	...	Hal Henderson
Anthony Holland	...	Donaldson
Bob Kaliban	...	Hotel clerk

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "Lovers and Other Strangers" written by actors Renée Taylor and Joseph Bologna opened on September 18, 1968 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and ran for 70 performances. Renée Taylor also performed in the stage play and wrote the screenplay with her husband Joseph Bologna.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Near the beginning of the movie, when Gig Young and Cloris Leachman are sitting on the couch with a mirror behind them, you can see a reflection of a crew member in the mirror as he tries to move out of the shot.

Quotes:

Frank Vecchio: So, what's the story Ritchie?
Richie Vecchio: We're just not compatible.
Frank Vecchio: You hear that Beatrice, they're not compatible.
Bea: I heard, but I'm not listening, Frank.
Frank Vecchio: They're married for six years, all of a sudden they're looking to be compatible.
Bea: It's a phase they're going through.
Frank Vecchio: You stupid kids today, they don't know what to do with themselves, they get a divorce, for kicks.
Bea: That's what it is, Frank, kicks.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Full House: Lovers and Other Tanners (#6.5)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

For All We Know

Holds Up So Well After 35 plus years

Classic comedy with legendary comedians (e.g. Stiller and Meara.) Imagine holding up and being topical for more than 35 years! While the superb writing as mentioned holds up fantastically, the 60's style also adds to the overall pleasure of this movie. Do you get the feeling I like this flick! Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch this when you get the opportunity. Check out the cast and see just how amazing an impact this movie had - Bea Arthur year before being cast as Maude in All in the Family (Conrad Bain in small role, to be linked as Maude's neighbor within a couple of years of the movies release.) And the casting director, was he prophetic or what, see how many appeared for the first time in a movie here, Diane Keaton of course, but how about Sly Stallone as an extra, Jerry Stiller, etc, etc.