Main Cast: Jill Clayburgh, Charles Pfluger, Raymond McNally, John Braswell, Robert De Niro
Release Year: 1969
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
Plot
This dark comedy finds Charlie (Charles Pfulger) traveling to stay at the house of his fiancee's parents two days before his wedding to Josephine (Jill Clayburgh). With his two friends, he discusses Vietnam, the sexual revolution, black power, and compares bachelor life to that of a married man. Charlie tries to talk Josephine's former suitor into resuming his quest, is propositioned by the church organist, and misses his own bachelor party before finally making to the wedding at the insistence of his friends. Robert De Niro plays the role of Charlie's friend Cecil in this unusual comedy with lots of improvisational dialogue. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Judy Thomas - Celeste, Organist; Sue Ann Converse - Nanny; John Quinn - Baker; Andra Akers; William Finley - Alistair; Laurie Kennedy; Jared Martin; Jane Odin - Carol; Helmuth Pfluger - Charlie's Father; Jennifer Salt - Phoebe; Valda Satterfield - Mrs. Fish; Cynthia Munroe - Bridesmaid
Its simple plot focuses on a soon-to-be groom and his interactions with various relatives of his fiancée and members of the wedding party prior to the ceremony on the family's estate on Shelter Island.
The independent film was a joint effort by Sarah Lawrence theatre professor Wilford Leach and two of his students, protégéBrian De Palma and wealthy Cynthia Monroe, who bankrolled the project. The trio shared screen credit as writers, directors, and producers, although it is De Palma's touch that is most evident in the film's technical aspects, while Leach's theatrical background suggests he was responsible for supervising the performances of the ensemble cast. Leach went on to a successful career as a Tony Award-winning theatre director, while De Palma continued as an auteur of quirky films frequently emulating the themes and techniques of Alfred Hitchcock.
The film was made in 1963 but not released until six years later, after one of its supporting players, Robert De Niro, had begun to draw notice for his work in off-Broadway theatre and De Palma's 1968 release Greetings. Also in the cast were Jennifer Salt and William Finley, both of whom were De Palma regulars, and fellow Sarah Lawrence student Jill Clayburgh as the bride-to-be.
