Movie Guide: The Golden Years - 1968 – The Odd Couple
Recommendation: Thirteenth invitation, which is not little. And in this case, it is the first installment of this genre called comedy and in this excellent year that, as we said, is 1968.
And on this occasion, as the name suggests, we are going to find ourselves with an «
odd couple«, but yes, of enormous comedians such as they are: the great
Jack Lemmon and the charismatic
Walter Matthau. Therefore, an excellent duo that collaborated together in more than 10 installments, thus becoming one of the most memorable comic couples in history. Let’s dissect them, then, dismembering, precisely, this film that we have already mentioned: «
The Odd Couple» from 1968, ranked number 86 for best comedies and number 84 for best films of the 60’s.
Knowing that, This film, full of laughter and funny moments, manages to capture the attention of the public from the first moment. The clever script and witty dialogues make this comedy stand out from the rest. Also, the talented cast and impeccable performances add an extra level of quality to the film. No wonder she has been recognized for her outstanding work and has received a nomination for the prestigious Golden Globes. There is no doubt that this comedy has left a lasting mark on the film industry and will continue to be remembered as one of the best of its genre. Shall we start?
And so, of this «
odd couple» I can tell you that this film was produced by
Paramount Pictures and that, with a budget of only $1.2M, it earned $44.5M. In summary, quite a hit, since in terms of %, he obtained a profit of 3,608.33%
Therefore, we find a very entertaining American comedy that, with an excellent grade of 7.7 and that, for its good work, as we said, was nominated for the 1969 Golden Globes for Best Comedy.
Its director is the New York actor and director,
Gene Saks. A director with a brief film background, since his production focused on the world of theater and, despite them, he left us addresses focused on 3 consecutive years and that were truly successful, with strange couples such as:
With $30M «
Barefoot in the Park» 1967 and,
Robert Redford and
Jane Fonda.
Our 1968 «
The Odd Couple» at $44.5M and
Jack Lemmon and
Walter Matthau.
And «
Cactus Flower» from 1969 with $25.8M and
Walter Matthau,
Ingrid Bergman and the shining star
Goldie Hawn, with the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
I said 3 blockbusters but, nevertheless «they must not have attracted much to the good
Gene Saks what, he disappeared.
And so, we leave the production section, to focus on its interpretative part and, above all, on this duo of enormous actors, focusing our attention first on the great and, without a doubt, the best comic actor of the 50s. , 60 and 70,
Jack Lemmon and to whom we owe a well-deserved tribute, covering part of his career, to discover the enormity of this character.
In this sense, it is fascinating to enter the magnificent interpretive world of
Jack Lemmon. His career path is a true gem of cinema, filled with memorable characters and magnetic performances. From his first steps in show business,
Lemmon demonstrated an innate talent for acting. With each new project, his ability to bring different characters to life became more impressive. The scope of his versatility is simply amazing.
Lemmon possessed a unique charisma and a screen presence that mesmerized the audience. He was able to convey a wide range of emotions with ease, whether in dramatic or comedic roles. His ability to delve into the psychology of his characters was exceptional, allowing him to imbue them with a striking authenticity.
Throughout his prolific career,
Lemmon has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the film industry. He collaborated with renowned directors and shared scenes with renowned actors, which further enriched his repertoire and made him an indisputable reference within his field. It is practically impossible to mention all the films in which he participated, since his filmography is extensive and varied. However, iconic works such as «
The Apartment«, «
Days of Wine and Roses» and «
The Odd Couple» stand out, among many others that we will briefly review. Each of these films bears witness to
Jack Lemmon’s unparalleled artistry and his ability to captivate audiences with his flawless performance, beginning as a supporting actor in:
«
Mister Roberts» 1955 where, as soon as it started, he already won his first Oscar for best supporting actor. But without a doubt, the film that gave him the definitive push in his facet as a great comic actor is our recommended «
Bell, Book and Candle» from 1958, together with the great
James Stewart and the beautiful and suggestive
Kim Novak.
And from here, and with all his merits, become a leading actor in memorable comedies such as:
«
Some Like It Hot» 1959, together with
Tony Curtis and the stunning
Marilyn Monroe and, with the first Oscar nomination for leading actor and the first Golden Globe in the same category.
«
The Apartment» 1960 with the actress
Shirley MacLaine, and with which he won the same awards as in the previous film: Oscar nomination for leading actor and his second Golden Globe in the same category.
And for the first time, the drama, «
Days of Wine and Roses» from 1962, together with the actress
Lee Remick, and with which he obtained a new Oscar and Golden Globe nomination in the category of best dramatic actor.
«
Irma la Douce» 1963, again together with the also great
Shirley MacLaine, and for which he obtained a new Golden Globe nomination for best comic actor.
«
The Great Race» 1965, again with
Tony Curtis and actress
Natalie Wood and, new Golden Globe nomination for best comic actor.
And already, our first collaboration of 10, with the other leading actor of our day,
Walter Matthau, in «
The Fortune Cookie» 1966.
And then, our today recommended «
The Odd Couple» 1968 logically, along with
Walter Matthau and for which they both got nominations for the Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor.
And so, we go to the 70s, looking at 3 films and with which we will close this tour, and they are:
First, his last Golden Globe for Best Comedic Actor for: «
Avanti!» from 1972 with actress
Juliet Mills.
Then, of course, «
Save the tiger» in 1973 with
Laurie Heineman, and for which he won his only Oscar for best leading actor, as well as a new Golden Globe nomination.
And we will finish with: a drama filmed in 1982 «
Missing» together with
Sissy Spacek, and with which he obtained Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for best leading actor, thus ending this excellent journey. Total, nothing, right?
And then we are about to dissect the career of the second member of this «
odd couple» and who is none other than the charismatic actor of Russian-Lithuanian Jewish origin named
Walter Matthau.
Talented actor who stood out remarkably in the film industry during his career, leaving an impressive legacy on the big screen, demonstrating his acting versatility by participating in a wide range of film genres. From comedies to dramas, he knows how to captivate the audience with his distinctive style and his ability to bring memorable characters to life.
His screen presence was characterized by his wry humor and ability to convey emotion authentically and convincingly. So, throughout his career,
Walter Matthau worked on countless films, collaborating with renowned directors and sharing scenes with talented colleagues. Thus, fixing our attention on our today recommended «
The Odd Couple» 1968, where his chemistry with
Jack Lemmon was unmatched. Therefore, we find ourselves in addition to his acting talent, with a
Matthau who also ventured as a director and producer, leaving his mark on the film industry in a more complete way.
His passion for the cinematographic art and his dedication to his trade earned him the recognition and respect of his co-workers and followers. Proving to be not only an outstanding acting talent, but also a kind and charismatic person who left an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
So, as a tribute, let’s do a brief review of his career: Beginning, then, as a rather innocuous supporting actor since, curiously, he participated in dramatic roles, such as:
In «
Strangers When We Meet» 1960, a romantic drama in which he participated together with
Kirk Douglas and the bewitching and enigmatic
Kim Novak and, by the way, the good
Walter Matthau receives a whole punch from an angry
Kirk Douglas, for alleged stalker.
Next, we have «
Lonely are the Brave» 1962 a western again with
Kirk Douglas.
We continue with «
Charade» in 1964, a suspense comedy with
Cary Grant and
Audrey Hepburn.
Until finally, in 1966,
Matthau changed register devoting himself to roles more typical of comedy and oh surprise, continued success came with:
«
The Fortune Cookie» from 1966 and the first collaboration of the 10 that would take place with the great
Jack Lemmon and, which would bring the good
Walter Matthau his first Oscar nomination as a leading actor and his first Golden Globe as a supporting actor.
It was clear, the actor actor of Russian-Lithuanian Jewish origin had finally found his way.
And so in 1968 we have our today recommended «
The Odd Couple» logically, along with
Jack Lemmon and for which they both received Golden Globe nominations for best comic actor.
Continuing in the year 1969, with the already mentioned in this recommendation «
Cactus Flower» by director
Gene Saks.
We’ll do a parenthesis with «
Hello, Dolly!» a 1969 romantic musical directed by the great
Gene Kelly and alongside the also versatile
Barbra Streisand.
And we will end this brief review of the chronology of good
Walter Matthau with, curiously, a dramatic comedy and a new intervention with his great friend,
Jack Lemmon, although this time good
Jack from the other side of the camera, since who was the one who directed the film, His Name «
Kotch» from 1971, along with actress
Deborah Winters. And that helped him get a new Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for best lead actor.
Thus we end, this review, for the career of these two monsters of comedy and that without a doubt have made us enjoy great moments of cinema.
what yes?And after putting an end to these two monsters of interpretation, we close this section, simply mentioning the supporting actors who accompany them: Having as poker night companions:
Bill Mazeroski,
David Sheiner,
John Fiedler and
Herb Edelman. In addition to
the parakeet sisters, neighbors of the elevator:
Monica Evans and
Carole Shelley.
And so, with this relationship, we leave the interpretive aspect of this «
odd couple» to focus on the script that gave birth to it, and so in this section we meet the American writer and screenwriter
Neil Simon, and for which he received the nomination Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. And that, as a success worth mentioning, we have the romantic comedy, «
Barefoot in the Park» from 1968 with the same director
Gene Saks and, together with the newly married couple,
Robert Redford and
Jane Fonda.
And finally, we have the soundtrack for «
The Odd Couple» A cheerful and carefree soundtrack, in the style of 10 years earlier, by the American composer
George Duning in «
Bell, Book and Candle» from 1958, but which was actually composed by the composer born in Nebraska,
Neal Hefti, and who, as in the case Previously, he composed the soundtrack for the romantic comedy, «
Barefoot in the Park» from 1968 with the same director
Gene Saks and, together with the newly married couple,
Robert Redford and
Jane Fonda.
Curious, right? To finish, just add the orchestrators who accompanied him, and who, on this occasion, were:
Lowell Martin and
Hal Mooney.
And with this tribute to these two great actors,
Jack Lemmon and
Walter Matthau, we end this dissection of this somewhat crazy comedy «
The Odd Couple«, knowing that you must take into account that, as always under the cover, we have left the post published in
Ok.ru and, under its trailer, the link of the full film in the original version with subtitles. Therefore, you only have to click on any of these links, to be able to enjoy the chosen option.
Synopsis: Two divorcees decide to share an apartment in New York, but their characters and their lifestyles are absolutely incompatible. The obsession with cleanliness and order of the meticulous Felix (
Lemmon) is exasperating for Oscar (
Matthau), capable of decluttering the apartment at lightning speed. (
Filmaffinity)
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