Pete ‘n’ Tillie **** (1972, Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Page) – Classic Movie Review 7044

Director Martin Ritt’s 1972 comedy drama is funny, heartwarming and hugely likeable, with a good script lifted high by ingratiating performances from the supremely expert and ideally paired comedians Walter Matthau and Carol Burnett as Pete ‘n’ Tillie. They meet in San Francisco on a blind date, court each other, marry and set up house together in Marin County.

Adapted from Peter De Vries’s novel Witch’s Milk by Julius J Epstein, this is warm, delightful stuff. But then, after all the laughs, there is a bold switch to melodrama when it turns out that their young son is dying. The appealing Matthau and Burnett take all this effortlessly in their stride and Oscar-nominated Geraldine Page helps out too as Gertrude.

Pete ‘n’ Tillie was nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Geraldine Page) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Julius J Epstein).

Also in the cast are René Auberjonois, Barry Nelson, Henry Jones, Lee H Montgomery, Kent Smith, Philip Bourneuf, Whit Bissell and Timothy Blake.

Pete ‘n’ Tillie is directed by Martin Ritt, runs 100 minutes, is released by Universal, is written by Julius J Epstein, adapted from Peter De Vries’s novel Witch’s Milk, is shot in Technicolor by John A Alonzo, is produced by Julius J Epstein, is scored by John Williams, and is designed by George C Webb.

Matthau sings the Pete ‘n’ Tillie title song, orchestrated by John Williams and written by Marilyn and Alan Bergman.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7044

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