After running out of funds, Henry Graham, a carefree playboy, plots to marry and murder wealthy botanist Henrietta Lowell.
Acting
Elaine May's Henrietta—disaster energy, but make it botanical.
Writing
May's script weaponizes awkwardness like nobody's business.
Direction
May's control of tone: somehow tender AND sociopathic.
Director
Elaine May
Walter Matthau
Henry Graham
Elaine May
Henrietta Lowell
Jack Weston
Andy McPherson
George Rose
Harold
James Coco
Uncle Harry
Doris Roberts
Mrs. Traggert
Renée Taylor
Sharon Hart
William Redfield
Beckett
Graham Jarvis
Bo
David Doyle
Mel
Fred Stewart
Mr. von Rensaeller
Rose Arrick
Gloria Cunliffe
Conrad Bain
Professor Heinrich (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Elaine May was so unhappy with the final cut that she tried to have her name removed; the studio refused.
May's direction of herself created Hollywood's most iconic on-screen disaster woman—decades before 'cringe comedy' had a name.
US
