Kotch (1971)

Director:

Jack Lemmon

Writers:

John Paxton (writer)
Katherine Topkins (novel)

Release Date:

17 September 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Joseph Kotcher, a retired traveling salesman, lives with his son Gerald and daughter-in-law Wilma in Los Angeles...

Plot Keywords:

Old Age | Senility | Based On Novel | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Walter Matthau	...	Joseph P. Kotcher
Deborah Winters	...	Erica Herzenstiel
Felicia Farr	...	Wilma Kotcher
Charles Aidman	...	Gerald Kotcher
Ellen Geer	...	Vera Kotcher
Donald Kowalski	...	Duncan Kotcher
Dean Kowalski	...	Duncan Kotcher
Arlen Stuart	...	Mrs. Fisher
Jane Connell	...	Miss Roberts
James Brodhead	...	Mr. Weaver
Jessica Rains	...	Dr. McKernan
Darrell Larson	...	Vincent Perrin
Biff Elliot	...	Pink Motel manager
Paul Picerni	...	Dr. Ramon Caudillo
Lucy Saroyan	...	Sissy

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs, California, USA

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

Walter Matthau was only 50 at the time of filming. The actor playing his son (Charles Aidman) was 45.

Quotes:

Peter Stiel: [offended by Mr. Kotcher calling him "Peter Herzenstiel"] Just "Stiel". S - T - I - E - L.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 44th Annual Academy Awards (1972) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Life Is What You Make It

Genial serious-comedy with carefully-used pathos

Bittersweet film directed by Jack Lemmon features real-life pal Walter Matthau as an unwanted old codger in Southern California who befriends an unmarried, pregnant teenager. The film makes points on several topics (retirement homes, married life in suburbia, the value of the elderly) yet it doesn't use this material to build momentum--and since the film isn't a satire, the humor (often condescending or sarcastic) comes off as smirking. Matthau does a fine job--he even convinces us he's a baby lover!--but his relationship with the troubled girl fails to ring true (Matthau's pinched, icy daughter-in-law is a worse matter--she's a one-note caricature). At one point, Matthau goes on a road trip by bus and sends back lots of postcards to his son, but director Lemmon does not use this segment to bolster the plot (it's too sitcom-like and, with that silly music, plays like a geriatric "Midnight Cowboy" besides!). Lemmon is careful not to flood the movie with teary sentiment; he's generally gracious and attentive and many of his details are wonderfully wry. The film is likable enough, but overall seems a bit fatigued. **1/2 from ****