California Suite

California Suite (1978) starring a whole ton of famous people (Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Richard Pryor). Written by Neil Simon and based on his play.

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Intertwining stories set in the Beverly Hills Hotel include an English actress in L.A. attending the Oscars(r); a divorced couple concerned about the future of their daughter; a philandering husband who must explain a hooker to his wife; and two couples on the worst vacation imaginable.

I like a ton of things that Neil Simon has written (The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park, Sweet Charity, The Heartbreak Kid is one of my favorite-favorites, etc.) but, man..... the Jane Fonda / Alan Alda segment of this movie was just like nails on a chalkboard. Pastel painted nails on a chalkboard.

Maggie Smith's character, Diana Barrie, is nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award but loses the Oscar, but Maggie Smith actually won an Oscar for portraying her, an Oscar loser.

Speaking of The Heartbreak Kid, here's the marvelous Elaine May.

According to an interview with Maggie Smith on 60 Minutes, Herbert Ross was very difficult to work with. She also stated that she was told that Ross reduced Walter Matthau to tears.

The idea of Walter Matthau in tears makes me want to break into tears.

See all the previous movie posts here.