Main Cast: Walter Matthau, Deborah Winters, Felicia Farr, Charles Aidman, Ellen Geer
Release Year: 1971
Country: US
Run Time: 113 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
For his only directorial effort, Jack Lemmon selected his old friend and habitual co-star Walter Matthau to play the central character. Joseph P. "Kotch" Kotcher (Walter Matthau) is an irksome 72-year-old who lives with his son (Charles Aidman) and daughter-in-law (played by Lemmon's wife Felicia Farr). Kotch is far from senile, but there are times that his family wishes he was a little more docile and doddering; he insists upon expressing his unwarranted opinions on all matters, both large and small, forever challenging his daughter-in-law's authority. When it is suggested that Kotch find himself a nice retirement home, the rebellious old man decides instead to take a long bus ride, hoping that his family will have cooled off by the time he returns. Before leaving, he tries to make amends with the family's former baby-sitter Erica (Deborah Winters), whose dismissal he has brought about. Upon learning that Erica is pregnant, Kotch loans her some money; and when she moves away to Palm Springs, he moves in with her, hoping to be of some help. As they get to know one another, Kotch and Erica discover that they're very much alike: both have been cast aside by their relatives due to their independent airs. Kotch was adapted by John Paxton from a novel by Katharine Topkins. Watch for director Jack Lemmon in a bit as a bus passenger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Darrell Larson - Vincent Perrin; James Brodhead - Weaver; Jane Connell - Miss Roberts; Tamar Cooper - Nurse; Biff Elliot - Motel Manager; Paul Fierro - Fabio; Kim Hamilton - Receptionist; Donald and Dean Kowalski - Duncan Ketcher; Larry Linville - Peter; Paul Picerni - Dr. Guadillo; Penny Santon - Mrs. Segura; Lucy Saroyan - Sissy; Amzie Strickland - Film Narrator; Arlen Stuart - Mrs. Fisher; Jack Lemmon - Stranger on Bus; Jessica Rains - Dr. McKernan; Dee Carroll - Dorothy Ballinger; Ralph Roberts - Blue Scarecrow
Credit
John S. Poplin - Art Director, John A. Anderson - Costume Designer, Jack Lemmon - Director, Ralph Winters - Editor, Marvin Hamlisch - Composer (Music Score), Harry Ray - Makeup, Jean Austin - Makeup, Richard H. Kline - Cinematographer, Rick Carter - Producer, William Kiernan - Set Designer, Jack Erickson - Special Effects, Jack Solomon - Sound/Sound Designer, Richard Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, John Paxton - Screenwriter, Katharine Topkins - Book Author
Kotch is a 1971, Oscar-nominated comedy film which tells the story of an elderly man who runs away so as not to be put into a nursing home, and strikes up a friendship with a pregnant teenage girl. It stars Walter Matthau, Deborah Winters, Felicia Farr, Charles Aidman and Ellen Geer.
The movie was adapted by John Paxton from the novel by Katherine Topkins. Matthau's friend and frequent costar Jack Lemmon directed; it was Lemmon's only film behind the camera.
