Bad News Bears 1976  PG, 102 min.
Genre: Comedy / Family / Drama
Director: Michael Ritchie
Cast: Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, Vic Morrow, Joyce Van Patten, Ben Piazza, Jackie Earle Haley, Alfred Lutter III, Brandon Cruz, Shari Summers, Joe(2) Brooks, Chris Barnes, Erin Blunt, Gary Lee Cavagnaro, Jaime Escobedo, Scott Firestone
Little League baseball coach Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) is determined to train a bunch of unruly kids into a winning unit. This movie is very funny as the ludicrous, beer-guzzling Buttermaker employs a special tactic–Amanda (Tatum O'Neal)–as the catalyst to make winners out of his foul-mouthed players. Followed by two sequels and remade in 2005.
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Bigger Than Life 1956 N/R, 95 min.
Genre: Drama / Action
Director: Nicholas Ray
Cast: James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Christopher Olsen, Roland Winters, Robert F. Simon, Rusty Lane, Rachel Stephens, Lee Aaker, Virginia Carroll, Kipp Hamilton, Jerry Mathers, Richard Collier, Alex Frazer, Renny McEvoy
Elementary school teacher Ed Avery (James Mason) is happily married to Lou (Barbara Rush), and they have a young son, Richie (Christopher Olsen). Ed is suffering from painful physical spasms but hides his condition from his family. After he collapses, Ed learns that he has an inflammation of the arteries and only months to live. He begins cortisone therapy and then becomes addicted to the drug and suffers from mood swings. As matters grow worse, he turns against his family, but his friend Wally (Walter Matthau) steps in, and Ed is eventually helped.
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Buddy Buddy 1981  R, 98 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Paula Prentiss, Klaus Kinski, Dana Elcar, Miles Chapin, Michael Ensign, Joan Shawlee, Ed Begley Jr., Frances Bay, Fil Formicola, C.J. Hunt, Bette Raya, Ronnie Sperling, Suzie Galler
A paid assassin, Trabucco (Walter Matthau), checks into a hotel room adjoining that of Victor Clooney (Jack Lemmon) who is depressed suicidal over his impending divorce. Just as Trabucco is about to shoot his prey, Victor interrupts him, which sets off a series of miscues, mistaken identity, and misdirected actions in this perfectly played farce.
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Cactus Flower 1969 PG, 104 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Gene Saks
Cast: Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, Goldie Hawn, Jack Weston, Vito Scotti, Irene Hervey, Rick Lenz, Eve Bruce, Irwin Charone, Matthew Saks
Goldie Hawn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in her role of the mistress of a dentist (Walter Matthau). Twists and turns of the plot evolve as the dentist coerces his secretary (Ingrid Bergman) to pretend to be his wife.
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California Suite 1978 PG, 103 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Herbert Ross
Cast: Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Bill Cosby, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Maggie Smith, Elaine May, Richard Pryor, Herb Edelman, Denise Galik, Gloria Gifford, Sheila Frazier, Kelly Harmon, David Sheehan, Michael Boyle
Based on Neil Simon's Broadway play, there are four stories about couples visiting a Beverly Hills Hotel. In this film version of the play, the stories are interwoven. First, divorced couple Bill and Hannah Warren (Alan Alda and Jane Fonda) rent a suite to talk to each other about the custody of their child. Then, Hollywood stars Sidney Cochran and Diana Barrie (Michael Caine and Maggie Smith) use the suite while waiting for the Academy Awards and use sex to fill their time. In the next episode, Willis Panama and Chauncy Gump (Bill Cosby and Richard Prior) bring their families to the hotel for a great vacation that turns out to be anything but. Finally, Marvin Michaels' (Walter Matthau) wife Millie (Elaine May) catches him in the suite with a hooker, and he is placed in the impossible position of explaining his behavior. The cast is great, and the film is worth watching. Maggie Smith won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
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Candy 1968 R, 119 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Christian Marquand
Cast: Charles Aznavour, Marlon Brando, Richard Burton, John Huston, Walter Matthau, Ringo Starr, John Astin, Elsa Martinelli, Sugar Ray Robinson, James Coburn
The cast is top of the line, and "Candy" is an amusing satire on the world of pornography.
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Casey's Shadow 1978 PG, 116 min.
Genre: Family
Director: Martin Ritt
Cast: Walter Matthau, Alexis Smith, Robert Webber, Murray Hamilton, Andrew A. Rubin, Steve Burns, Harry Caesar, Joel Fluellen, Whit Bissell
Lloyd Bourdelle (Walter Matthau) is a widower who trains horses for a living and manages to raise his kids alone. He owns a quarter horse that he plans to race at Ruidoso, New Mexico but must contend with those who want to get the rights to his horse.
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Charade 1963 PG, 114 min.
Genre: Comedy / Mystery / Thriller / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen
Cast: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, Ned Glass, Jacques Marin, Paul Bonifas, Dominique Minot, Thomas Chelimsky, Gregoire Aslan, Monte Landis
Audrey Hepburn stars as widow Regina "Reggie" Lampert fleeing from criminals and government agents who are after the $25,000 her murdered spouse supposedly pilfered during World War II. Cary Grant plays the love interest Peter Joshua who isn't who he pretends to be in this comedy/mystery.
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Charley Varrick 1973  PG, 111 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller / Mystery
Director: Don Siegel
Cast: Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, Felicia Farr, Andrew Robinson, Sheree North, Norman Fell, Jacqueline Scott, Tom Tully, Benson Fong, Woodrow Parfrey, William Schallert, Marjorie Bennett, Ruby Diaz, Charlie Briggs, Colby Chester
Bank robber Charley Varrick (Walter Matthau) and his partner Garman Sullivan (Andrew Robinson) rob a small bank in Tres Cruces, New Mexico, and later learn that they have stolen $750,000 in Mafia funds. Now, they must find a way to return the money in order to escape being killed by the Mob hit man Molly (Joe Don Baker) who is hot on their trail and killing everyone in the way.
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The Couch Trip 1988  R, 98 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Michael Ritchie
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Walter Matthau, Charles Grodin, Chevy Chase, Donna Dixon, Richard Romanus, Mary Gross, David Clennon, Arye Gross, Michael Ensign, Michael DeLorenzo, Mickey Jones, J.E. Freeman, David Wohl, Carol Mansell
A mental patient John W. Burns Jr. (Dan Aykroyd) trades places with his attending psychiatrist Lawrence Baird (David Clennon) and then finds himself hosting a radio talk show in Los Angeles. The film is based on the notion that there is a thin line between sanity and insanity, yet it does not shed any new light on the issue.
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Dennis the Menace 1993 PG, 97 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy
Director: Nick Castle
Cast: Walter Matthau, Mason Gamble, Joan Plowright, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Robert(2) Stanton, Paul Winfield, Arnold Stang, Amy Sakasitz, Kellen Hathaway, Natasha Lyonne, Devin Ratray, Hank Johnston, Billie Bird, Bill Erwin
Dennis comes to the big screen, and Walter Matthau plays Mr. Wilson with Mason Gamble taking on the role of Dennis. Dennis never changes, and he continues to play practical jokes on Mr. Wilson. When drifter Switchblade Sam (Christopher Lloyd) arrives in the neighborhood, he steals Mr. Wilson's gold coins collection–and kidnaps Dennis. Sam becomes the victim of Dennis' pranks, and all ends happily when Dennis retrieves the gold coins for Mr. Wilson.
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Earthquake 1974  PG, 130 min.
Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller
Director: Mark Robson
Cast: Charlton Heston, George Kennedy, Richard Roundtree, Lloyd Nolan, Walter Matthau, Ava Gardner, Genevieve Bujold, Lorne Greene, Marjoe Gortner, Barry Sullivan, Victoria Principal, Monica Lewis, Gabriel Dell, Pedro Armendariz Jr., Lloyd Gough
Construction engineer Stewart Graff (Charlton Heston) is undergoing marital problems with his wife Remy (Ava Gardner) and is having an affair with Denise (Genvieve Bujold). Now, his problems multiply when a devastating earthquake hits Los Angeles. It is the special effects that won this film an Oscar.
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Ensign Pulver 1964 N/R, 104 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Joshua Logan
Cast: Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau, Tommy Sands, Millie Perkins, Kay Medford, Larry Hagman, James Farentino, James Coco, Jack Nicholson
This is a disappointing sequel to "Mr. Roberts," despite the good cast of current and future stars.
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A Face in the Crowd 1957 N/R, 125 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast: Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Lee Remick, Walter Matthau, Rip Torn, Percy Waram, Rod Brasfield, Kay Medford, Charles Irving, Paul McGrath, Marshall Neilan, Rod Brasfield, Alexander Kirkland, Howard Smith
Lonesome Rhodes (Andy Griffith) rises from small-time entertainer to television star after radio producer Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) promotes him to fame as a TV idol. His down-home sense of humor gains him a huge audience, and Lonesome Rhodes becomes a national celebrity. But, problems develop when he becomes involved in greed and corruption and uses his power to sway voters into electing a reactionary presidential candidate into office.
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Fail-Safe 1964 N/R, 112 min.
Genre: Drama / Adventure / Thriller
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast: Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, Edward Binns, Fritz Weaver, Henry Fonda, Larry Hagman, Dom DeLuise, William Hansen, Sorrell Booke, Russell Hardie, Russell Collins, Frank Simpson, Nancy Berg, John Connell
The premise for this story is that the United States has accidentally dropped the hydrogen bomb on Russia. The ensuing events evolve as the leaders of both countries work to prevent total world annihilation. Good, tense attention-keeper.
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First Monday in October 1981 R, 99 min.
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Director: Ronald Neame
Cast: Walter Matthau, Jill Clayburgh, Joshua Bryant, Jan Sterling, Barnard Hughes, James Stephens, Charles Lampkin, Noble Willingham, Herb Vigran, Ann Doran, Wiley Harker, F.J. O'Neil, Edmund Stoiber, Richard McKenzie, Richard McMurray
The first Monday in October is annually the first day of the new session for the Supreme Court. In this film, Ruth Loomis (Jill Clayburgh) is a new liberal justice who wins over the respect of conservative Supreme Court Justice Dan Snow (Walter Matthau).
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The Fortune Cookie 1966 N/R, 125 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Judi West, Cliff Osmond, Lurene Tuttle, Harry Holcombe, Les Tremayne, Ned Glass, Sig Ruman, Lauren Gilbert, Marge Redmond, Noam Pitlik, Harry Davis, Maryesther Denver
This film is a satire on middle-class values in America. When television cameraman Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon) is injured during his filming of a Cleveland Browns football game, his brother-in-law "Whiplash Willy" (Walter Matthau) becomes his lawyer as they go to court to collect for injuries. Matthau won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
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The Front Page 1974 PG, 105 min.
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Romance
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Susan Sarandon, Vincent Gardenia, David Wayne, Allen Garfield, Austin Pendleton, Martin Gabel, Harold Gould, Herb Edelman, Cliff Osmond, Beff Elliot, Lou Frizzell, Paul Benedict
This is the third filming (the 1940 version was titled "His Girl Friday") of the Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur play. When Walter Burns' (Walter Matthau) star reporter Hildy Johnson (Jack Lemmon) plans to leave the newspaper, marry Peggy Grant (Susan Sarandon), and move to New York, Burns tries everything he can to keep Hildy with the newspaper. He offers Hildy the job of writing a story about the planned execution of Earl Williams (Ausin Pendleton), and Hildy agrees. But, Williams escapes, appears in the press room, and Hildy hides Williams in a roll top desk. Now, as Hildy waits for the chance to interview Williams, he investigates, finds political corruption and the fact that they plan to execute the wrong man. (Again remade in 1988 as "Switching Channels."
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Gangster Story 1960 N/R, 65 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Walter Matthau
Cast: Walter Matthau, Carol Grace, Bruce McFarlane, Garry Walberg, Raikin Ben-Ari, David Leonard, John Albright, Clegg Hoyt, Vic Tayback, Leonard Bremen
This film marks Walter Matthau's directorial debut, and he takes the leading role as gangster Jack Martin who is hiding out from the police in a town in Southern California. When he needs funds, Martin robs small-town banks. Martin's reform-minded girlfriend Carol Logan (Carol Grace) tries to get him to change his ways, but he pays no heed. After he manages to rob the United States National Bank, he has both the local police and the FBI on his trail–along with local crime boss Earl Dawson (Bruce McFarlane) who is upset that Martin would carry off the heist in his territory without first making a deal with him.
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The Grass Harp 1996 PG, 107 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Charles Matthau
Cast: Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek, Walter Matthau, Edward Furlong, Jack Lemmon, Mary Steenburgen, Nell Carter, Roddy McDowall, Charles Durning, Joe Don Baker
Based on Truman Capote's novella, this is the story of a family and the maturing process of Colin (Edward Furlong) who, following his mother's death, is sent to live with his aunts, Verena (Sissy Spacek) and Dolly (Piper Laurie).
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Grumpier Old Men 1995 PG-13, 101 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Howard Deutch
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann - Margret, Sophia Loren, Burgess Meredith, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Kevin Pollak, Daryl Hannah, Max Wright, Katie Sagona, James Andelin, Marcus Klemp, Cheryl Hawker, Wayne A. Evenson, Allison Levine
In this sequel to "Grumpy Old Men," besides the original cast, Sophia Loren joins in the fray as Max Goldman's (Walter Matthau) new love interest Maria Sophia Coletta Ragetti. When John and Max scheme to shut down the restaurant that has replaced their bait shop in Wabasha County, Minnesota, Max falls in love with Maria who runs the restaurant with her mother, Francesca (Ann Morgan Guilbert). Meanwhile, problems develop between Max's son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) and John's daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) when their fathers keep interfering with their wedding plans. Yes, the outtakes during the closing credits are also in this film.
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Grumpy Old Men 1993 PG-13, 104 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Donald Petrie
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann - Margret, Burgess Meredith, Daryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak, Ossie Davis, Buck Henry, Christopher McDonald, Steve Cochran, Joe Howard, Isabell O'Connor, John Carroll Lynch, Buffy Sedlachek, Charles Brin
What happens when a good-looking widow moves into the neighborhood? Lots, when the widow, Ariel Truax, is played by Ann-Margret, and the other roles of John Gustafson and Max Goldman are taken on by Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. This is a good flick, set in Minnesota where the winter nights are a lot colder than this street's residents who have been feuding all their lives. Be sure to catch the outtakes at the end of the movie.
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A Guide for the Married Man 1967 N/R, 89 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Gene Kelly
Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Morse, Inger Stevens, Sue Ane Langdon, Carl Reiner, Claire Kelly, Jason Wingreen, Eddie Quillan, Robert Patten, Many Guest Stars
Ed Stander (Robert Morse) finds a willing pupil in Paul Manning (Walter Matthau) who, after 12 years of marriage, wants some extra-marital excitement. Several stars demonstrate Stander's many methods of cheating on one's spouse.
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Hanging Up 2000 PG-13, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Diane Keaton
Cast: Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton, Lisa Kudrow, Walter Matthau, Adam Arkin, Shaun Duke, Ann Bortolotti, Cloris Leachman, Maree Cheatham, Myndy Crist
Three neurotic sisters–Eve (Meg Ryan), Georgia (Diane Keaton), and Maddy (Lisa Kudrow)–cope with their alcoholic father (Walter Matthau) who, after years of crying wolf, is finally looking into the real face of death.
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Hello, Dolly! 1969 G, 129 min.
Genre: Family / Musica / Comedy / Romancel
Director: Gene Kelly
Cast: Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Louis Armstrong, E.J. Peaker, Marianne McAndrew, Fritz Feld, Richard Collier, J. Pat O'Malley, Danny Lockin, Joyce Ames, Tommy Tune, Judy Knaiz, David Hurst, Richard Monahan
In this musical version of "The Matchmaker," Dolly (Barbra Streisand) works to unite young couples. She is hired by "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau) to find him a mate. Dolly is interested in Horace for herself, yet she goes through the superficial motions of finding him a bride. Complications ensue, but, by story's end, Dolly and Horace will live happily ever after. Three Academy Awards were won and four other nominations were received, including Best Picture.
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Hopscotch 1980 R, 104 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Ronald Neame
Cast: Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Herbert Lom, David Matthau, George Baker, Severn Darden, Allan Cuthbertson, Lucy Saroyan
An ex-CIA agent, Miles Kendig (Walter Matthau), writes an expose revealing espionage tactics and then tries to prevent its publication.
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House Calls 1978 PG, 98 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Howard Zieff
Cast: Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin, Candice Azzara, Dick O'Neill, Thayer David, Anthony Holland, Brad Dexter, Lloyd Gough
A middle-aged surgeon (Walter Matthau), newly widowed, thinks of himself as a "great catch." Complications arise in the form of a divorcee (Glenda Jackson) who has her own ideas of what makes good relationships. Art Carney, as usual, is great.
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I Ought to Be in Pictures 1982 PG, 108 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Herbert Ross
Cast: Walter Matthau, Ann - Margret, Dinah Manoff, Lance Guest, Lewis Smith, Martin Ferrero, David Faustino, Michael Dudikoff
After her father (Walter Matthau) leaves his Brooklyn family and moves to Los Angeles, 19-year-old Libby (Dinah Manoff) hitchhikes across country to join him. Once there, she finds him in poor physical shape from drinking, but her influence changes him.
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I.Q. 1994 PG, 95 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Fred Schepisi
Cast: Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Matthau, Charles Durning, Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher, Stephen Fry, Frank Whaley, Tony Shalhoub, Keene Curtis, Alice Playten, Danny Zorn, Helen Hanft, Roger Berlind
With Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) playing Cupid, Catherine Boyd (Meg Ryan) and Ed Walters (Tim Robbins) find each other in this romantic comedy. Ed starts out as an automobile mechanic (great looks–not so great mentality), but Einstein tutors him so that he can impress mathematician Catherine. It works.
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The Incident 1990 TV, 95 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Joseph Sargent
Cast: Walter Matthau, Susan Blakely, Robert Carradine, Peter Firth, Barnard Hughes, Harry Morgan, William Schallert, Ariana Richards, Norbert Weisser, Helen Stenborg, Douglas Rowe, Joe Horvath, Henry Crowell Jr., David Underwood, Robert MacKenzie
In a small town during World War II, Harmon Cobb (Walter Matthau) reluctantly defends Nazi POW Geiger (Peter Firth) who is charged with the death of the town's doctor (Barnard Hughes). While the townsfolk are ready for a hanging, presiding Judge Bell tells Cobb that he is not to vigorously pursue the case, which becomes more complicated than expected when Cobb finds that there is a cover-up at the POW camp. Made for TV.
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Incident in a Small Town 1994 TV, 95 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Delbert Mann
Cast: Walter Matthau, Harry Morgan, Stephanie Zimbalist, Nick Stahl, Bernard Behrens, Lori Hallier, David Nerman, Dennis Strong, James Blendick, Dee McCafferty, Eve Crawford, Bruce McFee, Cara Pifko, Jeremy Tracz, Jim Warren
Walter Matthau as lawyer Harmon Cobb returns to his small town (following "The Incident" in 1990) in this made-for-TV film. This time, a rapist returns after a 13-year absence and is murdered. A judge–the father of the raped girl–is the prime suspect, and Harmon must defend him. Harry Morgan also returns as the judge hearing the case.
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The Indian Fighter 1955 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Western
Director: Andre De Toth
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Elsa Martinelli, Walter Abel, Walter Matthau, Lon Chaney Jr., Diana Douglas, Eduard Franz, Alan Hale Jr., Elisha Cook Jr., William Phipps
The Sioux are understandably upset with settlers taking over their land and stealing their gold. Enter a wagon train, with its leader Johnny Hawks (Kirk Douglas), winding its way through dangerous Sioux territory.
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Island of Love 1963 N/R, 101 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Morton DaCosta
Cast: Robert Preston, Tony Randall, Giorgia Moll, Walter Matthau, Betty Bruce, Michael Constantine, Norma Varden, Titos Vandis, Lewis Charles, Peter Mamakos
Two con men, Steve Blair (Robert Preston) and Paul Ferris (Tony Randall), trying to escape from gangster Tony Dallas (Walter Matthau), turn a Greek island's faltering tourist trade around by promoting the island as "The Island of Love."
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I'm Not Rappaport 1996 PG-13, 131 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Herb Gardner
Cast: Walter Matthau, Ossie Davis, Amy Irving, Craig T. Nelson, Martha Plimpton, Ranjit Chowdhry, Ron Rifkin, Boyd Gaines, Guillermo Diaz, Elina Lowensohn, Marin Hinkle, Nancy Giles, Irwin Corey, Salem Ludwig, Josh Pais
Two elderly men, Nat Moyer (Walter Matthau) and Midge Carter (Ossie Davis), spend their days sitting on a bench in Central Park. They stop at nothing to maintain control of the world that seems to be passing them by, and problems come to a head when Midge is threatened with retirement from his job of apartment manager. While Nat steps in to help Midge, they take on a drug dealer, The Cowboy (Craig T. Nelson), and a mugger, J.C. (Guillermo Diaz), and, in the process, stop The Cowboy from harming young Laurie Campbell (Martha Plimpton).
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JFK 1991 R, 189 min.
Genre: Drama / Mystery
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Jay O. Sanders, Michael Rooker, Laurie Metcalf, Kevin Bacon, Jack Lemmon, John Candy, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Walter Matthau, Sally Kirkland, Edward Asner
Oliver Stone received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Director in presenting questions about the Warren Commission and its investigation of the murder of John F. Kennedy. The questions arise when New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) has doubts about the FBI's official story concerning the murder and begins his own investigation. The movie achieved its aim of making citizens more politically aware. Two Academy Awards (Best Cinematography and Film Editing) and four other nominations were received.
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The Kentuckian 1955 N/R, 103 min.
Genre: Western / Drama
Director: Burt Lancaster
Cast: Burt Lancaster, Diana Lynn, Dianne Foster, John McIntire, Una Merkel, Walter Matthau, John Carradine, Rhys Williams, John Litel, Edward Norris, Donald MacDonald, Clem Bevans, Glenn Strange, Whip Wilson, Will Wright
This is the film adaptation of Basula Felix Holt's novel, "The Gabriel Horn." During 1820, widower Big Eli Wakefield (Burt Lancaster) and his son Little Eli (Donald MacDonald) leave their hard existence in Kentucky in search of better lives in Texas. History is combined with romance and action as Big Eli becomes involved with feuding families. "The Kentuckian" marks the film debut of Walter Matthau in the role of Stan Bodine.
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King Creole 1958 N/R, 116 min.
Genre: Drama / Musical
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Dolores Hart, Dean Jagger, Vic Morrow, Paul Stewart, Jan Shepard, Dick Winslow, Raymond Bailey, Liliane Montevecchi, Brian G. Hutton, Jack Grinnage, Gavin Gordon, Val Avery
Based on Harold Robbins' novel, "A Stone for Danny Fisher," this story is set in New Orleans. Aspiring young singer Danny Fisher (Elvis Presley) is a delinquent and high-school dropout who becomes involved with ruthless gangster Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) and his alcoholic moll Ronnie (Carolyn Jones). Will Danny figure out how to escape a life of crime, find employment as a singer, and gain the love of Nellie (Dolores Hart)? Many good Elvis songs include "Hard Headed Woman."
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King: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis 1970 N/R, 153 min.
Genre: Documentary
Director: Sidney Lumet
Cast: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, Sidney Poitier, Clarence Williams III, Ruby Dee, Ben Gazzara, Charlton Heston, Harry Belafonte, Bill Cosby, Diahann Carroll, Walter Matthau, Anthony Quinn, Leslie Uggams
This is an eloquent documentary about the life of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King covering the era from 1955 until he was slain in 1968.
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Kotch 1971 PG, 113 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Jack Lemmon
Cast: Walter Matthau, Deborah Winters, Felicia Farr, Charles Aidman, Ellen Geer, Darrell Larson, Paul Picerni, Biff Elliot, Dee Carroll, Lucy Saroyan, Arlen Stuart, Jane Connell, James Brodhead, Jessica Rains, Donald/Dean Kowalski
This is Jack Lemmon's directorial debut, and he directs pal Walter Matthau as well as his own wife, Felicia Farr. Joseph P. Kotcher (Matthau) is an older man who fights off his son Gerald (Charles Aidman) and daughter-in-law Wilma's (Felicia Farr) attempt to put him in a retirement home. Meanwhile, he becomes friend and advisor to a young, pregnant woman, Erica Herzenstiel (Deborah Winters). Matthau received an Oscar nomination.
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The Laughing Policeman 1973 R, 111 min.
Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller
aka: An Investigation of Murder
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Cast: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, Louis Gossett Jr., Anthony Zerbe, Anthony Costello, Cathy Lee Crosby, Joanna Cassidy, Albert Paulsen, William Hansen, Paul Koslo, Val Avery, Mario Gallo, Shirley Ballard, Jonas Wolfe, Frances Lee McCain
Policemen Jake Martin (Walter Matthau) and Leo Larson (Bruce Dern) track down a psychopath who killed all the passengers on a San Francisco bus. Jake's partner was one of the victims, and it is feared that the killer will strike again. The clues lead to dead ends, but will one final clue lead to the mass murderer?
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Lonely Are the Brave 1962 N/R, 107 min.
Genre: Western
Director: David Miller
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau, Michael Kane, Carroll O'Connor, George Kennedy, William Schallert, Karl Swenson, Bill Bixby, Martin Garralaga, William Mims, Lalo Rios, Harry Lauter, Charles Wagenheim, Dan White
Jack Burns (Kirk Douglas) is an aging cowboy having trouble relating to the contemporary world. He gets imprisoned in an effort to rescue his jailed friend, Paul Bondi (Michael Kane). When Burns discovers that Bondi is reluctant to escape, he breaks out of jail alone. Now Burns escapes on his horse, and he is chased by Sheriff Morey Johnson (Walter Matthau)–along with jeeps and helicopters–as he heads for the border.
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The Marriage Fool 1998 TV, 78 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: Love After Death
Director: Charles Matthau
Cast: Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, John Stamos, Teri Polo, Steve Behal, Johanna Black, Christina Collins, Bruce Deller, Kevin Frank, Dawn Greenhalgh
In this made-for-cable TV comedy/drama, widower Frank (Walter Matthau) falls in love with a younger woman, Florence (Carol Burnett). But Frank's son (John Stamos) fights the romance.
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Mirage 1965 N/R, 108 min.
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Cast: Gregory Peck, Diane Baker, Walter Matthau, Kevin McCarthy, Jack Weston, Walter Abel, George Kennedy, Leif Erickson, Anne Seymour, Hari Rhodes, Robert H. Harris, House Jameson, Syl Lamont, Eileen Baral, Neil Fitzgerald
After a blackout at a Gotham skyscraper, everything inside the building changes for David Stillwell (Gregory Peck). He knows that he is linked to the death of Charles Calvin (Walter Abel) who fell out of the 27th-story window, but Stillwell suffers from amnesia and cannot remember anything. Stillwell does know that danger lurks and seeks help from private eye Ted Caselle (Walter Matthau) who doesn't appear to believe that Stillwell has a problem–and then Caselle is murdered. The plot twists and turns as Stillwell finds himself the intended victim in a series of murder attempts. Remade in 1968 as "Jigsaw."
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Movers and Shakers 1985 PG, 80 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: William Asher
Cast: Walter Matthau, Charles Grodin, Vincent Gardenia, Tyne Daly, Bill Macy, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Penny Marshall, Michael Lerner, William Prince
In this satire of the Hollywood scene, producer Joe Mulholland (Walter Matthau) buys the rights to a property and then hires Herb Derman (Charles Grodin) to write the script.
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A New Leaf 1971 G, 102 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Elaine May
Cast: Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Jack Weston, George Rose, William Redfield, James Coco, Graham Jarvis, Doris Roberts, Rose Arrick, Renee Taylor
Once-wealthy Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) plans to regain financial status by marrying heiress Henrietta Lowell (Elaine May) and then killing her. Plans change when he turns over a new leaf and becomes a loving spouse.
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The Odd Couple 1968 G, 105 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Gene Saks
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Monica Evans, Carole Shelley, John Fiedler, Herb Edelman, David Sheiner, Larry Haines, Iris Adrian, Patricia D. Bohannon, Billie Bird, Ted Beniades, John C. Becher, Al Barlick, Matty Alou
This is one of Neil Simon's best and most popular comedies. Felix Ungar's (Jack Lemmon) wife has thrown him out, and, after contemplating suicide, Felix decides to move into his best friend Oscar Madison's (Walter Matthau) apartment. Oscar's wife is also divorcing him, and the temporary move makes sense. But, Felix is a compulsive organizer, and Oscar is an excessive slob. Will their opposite personalities make or break the possibility of their living in the same apartment?
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The Odd Couple II 1998 PG-13, 105 min.
Genre: Comedy / Adventure
Director: Howard Deutch
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Christine Baranski, Barnard Hughes, Jonathan Silverman, Jean Smart, Lisa Waltz, Mary Beth Peil, Richard Riehle, Jay O. Sanders, Rex Linn, Ellen Geer, Mary Fogarty, Lou Cutell, Doris Belack
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are back in their popular roles of Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison. This time around, they head for San Malina, California, for the wedding of Felix's daughter Hanna (Lisa Waltz) and Oscar's son Brucey (Jonathan Silverman). Problem number one is their failing memories–they can't remember the name of the town to which they are driving. Other problems include getting sprayed by a crop duster, the car breaking down, and meeting Thelma (Christine Baranski) and Holly (Jean Smart) at a bar. But, despite all of the interruptions, they finally do arrive at the wedding.
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Onionhead 1958 N/R, 110 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Norman Taurog
Cast: Andy Griffith, Felicia Farr, Walter Matthau, Erin O'Brien-Moore, Joe Mantell, Ray Danton, James Gregory, Joey Bishop, Roscoe Karns, Claude Akins
Al Woods (Andy Griffith) serves as a cook on a Coast Guard buoy tender where Red Wilder (Walter Matthau) serves as his mentor.
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Out to Sea 1997 PG-13, 109 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Martha Coolidge
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Dyan Cannon, Gloria DeHaven, Brent Spiner, Elaine Stritch, Hal Linden, Donald O'Connor, Edward Mulhare, Rue McClanahan
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau work together again–this time as Herb Sullivan and Charlie Gordon who are professional dance partners for women passengers on a cruise ship. This is their seventh film together, and Lemmon/Matthau fans will not be disappointed.
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Pete 'N' Tillie 1972 PG, 100 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Martin Ritt
Cast: Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Page, Barry Nelson, Rene Auberjonois, Lee Montgomery, Henry Jones, Kent Smith, Whit Bissell, Philip Bourneuf
This combination of comedy and drama is based on the Peter De Vries novel "Witch's Milk" and stars Walter Matthau as bachelor Pete who marries Tillie (Carol Burnett). They suffer the tragedy of the death of their nine-year-old son but finally rekindle their love. Geraldine Page received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress).
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Pirates 1986 PG-13, 117 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Roman Polanski
Cast: Walter Matthau, Charlotte Lewis, Cris Campion, Damien Thomas, Richard Pearson, David Kelly, Roy Kinnear, Bill Fraser, Ferdy Mayne, Emilio Fernandez
When pirate Capt. Thomas Bartholomew Red (Walter Matthau) and a French sailor (Cris Campion) are captured by the crew of the Spanish galleon, Red evokes a crew mutiny, and the adventures continue.
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Ride a Crooked Trail 1958 N/R, 87 min.
Genre: Western
Director: Jesse Hibbs
Cast: Audie Murphy, Gia Scala, Walter Matthau, Henry Silva, Joanna Moore, Eddie Little, Mary Field, Leo Gordon, Mort Mills, Frank Chase
When gunslinger Joe Maybe (Audie Murphy) arrives in town, the citizens think he is a marshal. The respect of a young boy, Jimmy (Eddie Little), helps to turn Joe into an honest man.
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The Secret Life of an American Wife 1968 R, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: George Axelrod
Cast: Walter Matthau, Anne Jackson, Patrick O'Neal, Edy Williams, Richard Bull, Paul Napier, Gary Brown, Albert Carrier, Cristie E. Hall, Todd Baron, Joe Corey, Monte Mansfield, Andy Jarrell, Hugh Franklin, Ralph Roberts
When Victoria Layton (Anne Jackson) feels she has turned into a bored and dowdy housewife, she decides to create excitement in her life by becoming a call girl. As luck would have it, her first customer is a movie star (Walter Matthau) who is also the friend and client of her husband, Tom (Patrick O'Neal).
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Slaughter on Tenth Avenue 1957 N/R, 103 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Arnold Laven
Cast: Richard Egan, Jan Sterling, Dan Duryea, Julie Adams, Walter Matthau, Charles McGraw, Sam Levene, Mickey Shaughnessy, Harry Bellaver, Nick Dennis, Joe Downing, Ned Wever, Billy M. Greene, John McNamara, Amzie Strickland
District attorney William Keating (Richard Egan) looks into the murder of longshoreman Solly Pitts (Mickey Shaughnessy) and finds Mob leader Al Dahlke (Walter Matthau) is behind most of the crime on the N.Y.C. docks.
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Strangers When We Meet 1960 N/R, 117 min.
Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Richard Quine
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Kim Novak, Ernie Kovacs, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau, Virginia Bruce, Kent Smith, Paul Picerni, Helen Gallagher, John Bryant, Roberta Shore, Nancy Kovack, Carol Douglas, Ernest Sarracino, Harry Jackson
Well-to-do architect Larry Coe (Kirk Douglas) becomes enamored with his neighbor, Maggie Gault (Kim Novak). Ignoring their respective mates, Larry and Maggie plunge into a torrid affair.
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The Sunshine Boys 1975 PG, 111 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Herbert Ross
Cast: Walter Matthau, George Burns, Richard Benjamin, Lee Meredith, Howard Hesseman, F. Murray Abraham, James Cranna, Ron Rifkin, Jennifer Lee, Fritz Feld, Carol Arthur, Jack Bernardi, Garn Stephens, Santos Morales, Duchess Dale
In this is a fine film adaptation of the Neil Simon Broadway hit, the story revolves around two feuding ex-vaudeville stars who try for a comeback through a television special. George Burns was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and Walter Matthau was nominated for Best Actor.
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The Survivors 1983 R, 108 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Director: Michael Ritchie
Cast: Robin Williams, Walter Matthau, Jerry Reed, James Wainwright, Anne Pitoniak, John Goodman, Kristen Vigard, Annie McEnroe, Bernard Barrow, Michael P. Moran, Marian Hailey, Joseph Carberry, Skipp Lynch, Meg Mundy, Yudie Bank
Robin Williams plays unemployed executive Donald Quinelle who is taken under the wing of gas station owner Sonny Paluso (Walter Matthau). Because of a strange set of circumstances, they are on the list of hit man Jack Locke (Jerry Reed). From there, they end up in a survival-training unit where things really get "Robin Williams" strange.
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The Taking of Pelham One Two Three 1974 R, 104 min.
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Director: Joseph Sargent
Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, Earl Hindman, James Broderick, Dick O'Neill, Jerry Stiller, Rudy Bond, Kenneth McMillan, Lee Wallace, Doris Roberts, Beatrice Winde, Nathan George, Tom Pedi
Four gangsters–Mr. Blue (Robert Shaw), Mr. Green (Martin Balsam), Mr. Gray (Hector Elizondo), and Mr. Brown (Earl Hindman)–hold the passengers on a New York subway train hostage and demand a large ransom. Their leader, Mr. Blue, tries to outfox Transit Authority detective Lieutenant Garber (Walter Matthau) when he negotiates with them for the passengers' release while their train sits in a tunnel surrounded by police.
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The Voice in the Mirror 1958 N/R, 102 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Harry Keller
Cast: Richard Egan, Julie London, Arthur O'Connell, Walter Matthau, Troy Donahue, Ann Doran, Mae Clarke, Harry Bartell, Max Showalter, Hugh Sanders
This film explores the tragedy inherent in alcoholism as Jim Burton (Richard Egan) tries to rise from adversity with the help of his patient wife, Ellen (Julie London).
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| Oscar: Best Supporting Actor for The Fortune Cookie (1966) |
1. Bad News Bears (1976)
2. Bigger Than Life (1956)
3. Buddy Buddy (1981)
4. Cactus Flower (1969)
5. California Suite (1978)
6. Candy (1968)
7. Casey's Shadow (1978)
8. Charade (1963)
9. Charley Varrick (1973)
10. The Couch Trip (1988)
11. Dennis the Menace (1993)
12. Earthquake (1974)
13. Ensign Pulver (1964)
14. A Face in the Crowd (1957)
15. Fail-Safe (1964)
16. First Monday in October (1981)
17. The Fortune Cookie (1966)
18. The Front Page (1974)
19. Gangster Story (1960)
20. Goodbye Charlie (1964)
21. The Grass Harp (1996)
22. Grumpier Old Men (1995)
23. Grumpy Old Men (1993)
24. A Guide for the Married Man (1967)
25. Hanging Up (2000)
26. Hello, Dolly! (1969)
27. Hopscotch (1980)
28. House Calls (1978)
29. I Ought to Be in Pictures (1982)
30. I.Q. (1994)
31. The Incident (1990)
32. Incident in a Small Town (1994)
33. The Indian Fighter (1955)
34. Island of Love (1963)
35. I'm Not Rappaport (1996)
36. JFK (1991)
37. The Kentuckian (1955)
38. King Creole (1958)
39. King: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis (1970)
40. Kotch (1971)
41. The Laughing Policeman (1973)
aka: An Investigation of Murder
42. Little Miss Marker (1980)
43. Lonely Are the Brave (1962)
44. The Marriage Fool (1998)
aka: Love After Death
45. Mirage (1965)
46. Movers and Shakers (1985)
47. A New Leaf (1971)
48. The Odd Couple (1968)
49. The Odd Couple II (1998)
50. Onionhead (1958)
51. Out to Sea (1997)
52. Pete 'N' Tillie (1972)
53. Pirates (1986)
54. Plaza Suite (1971)
55. Ride a Crooked Trail (1958)
56. The Secret Life of an American Wife (1968)
57. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1957)
58. Strangers When We Meet (1960)
59. The Sunshine Boys (1975)
60. The Survivors (1983)
61. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
62. The Voice in the Mirror (1958)
63. Who's Got the Action? (1962)
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