California Suite (1978)

California Suite - 1978

Up next is 1978's "California Suite", a film about five couples who are staying at a Los Angeles hotel during Academy Awards weekend.  Each couple face a different set of trying circumstances.

The film's cast includes Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Herb Edelman, Denise Galik, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Gloria Gifford, Sheila Frazier, and James Coburn.

Chauncey and Lola Gump are vacationing in Los Angeles with Willis and Betting Panama.  Nothing seems to go right for them: from a faulty rental car to a non-existent reservation at the hotel.  Additionally, the two couples can't stop bickering amongst themselves.

Bill and Hannah Warren are a divorced couple fighting over custody of their teenage daughter.  As the maid leaves Hannah's hotel room, Bill enters.  "Hello, Hannah," he says politely.  "You were supposed to knock.  I was going to keep you waiting in the hall.  You screwed up my big moment," says Hannah.

The two trade barbs at each other.  "I love your California clothes," says Hannah.  "They're Bloomingdale's of New York," replies Bill.  "It's the best place for California clothes," says Hannah.

They spend the rest of the day together, altering between bickering and sharing how each other has changed.

Actress Diana Barrie has come to Los Angeles from London with her husband Sidney Cochran.  Diana is up for an Oscar, though she knows she's a long shot to win.  She tries out a few acceptance speech lines just in case.  "You have to prepare something.  You can't just stand there sobbing all over Burt Reynolds."

When the Gumps and the Panamas get to the hotel and they find out that there is only one room instead of two, they decide to share, which they don't realize will turn into a big mistake.

Sidney and Diana prepare for the Academy Awards.  Her moods run the gambit from hopeful that she'll win, to panic, and ultimately despair over her marriage of convenience with Sidney.  Through it all, he's there to offer her support, even when she doesn't win.

The Gumps and the Panamas book the tennis court, and an all out battle begins, which culminates in a fight in their hotel room in which they destroy it.

Elsewhere in the hotel, Marvin Michaels is in a panic.  A hooker that his brother sent to his room is passed out cold in bed.  Even worse is the fact that Marvin's wife (who came a day later) is on her way up to the room.

Marvin tries his best to hide the hooker from his wife Millie, and tries to avoid a very difficult conversation.

Unfortunately for Marvin, Millie discovers the hooker in the bed.  She ultimately decides to forgive Marvin and pretend this whole episode never happened.

As they are on their way out that evening, they share a cab with the hooker.  "Do you know who that is?" asks Marvin in shock.  With a straight face, Millie replies, "Yes, it's our hooker.  Do you think I'd ride with strangers?"

Hannah allows her daughter to stay with Bill, which earns her the gratitude of the girl.

The Gumps and Panamas head home, too.  They have sustained heavy injuries in their fight.  Both the guys are doctors and wonder how they are going to teach and practice medicine in their condition.

And after a disastrous trip, Diana and Sidney head home to London.  Diana wants to get off the plane when the flight attendant announces that they are going to show the movie that Diana was nominated for.

Cast rundown:

   Jane Fonda................................Hannah Warren

   Alan Alda...................................Bill Warren

   Maggie Smith.............................Diana Barrie/Wendy

   Michael Caine.............................Sidney Cochran

   Walter Matthau...........................Marvin Michaels

   Elaine May..................................Millie Michaels

   Herb Edelman.............................Harry Michaels

   Denise Galik...............................Bunny

   Richard Pryor..............................Dr. Chauncey Gump

   Bill Cosby...................................Dr. Willis Panama

   Gloria Gifford..............................Lola Gump

   Sheila Frazier..............................Bettina Panama

   James Coburn.............................Harold

And that's it for California Suite.  In real life, Maggie Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, achieving what her character could not.  Maggie Smith said that director Herbert Ross was very difficult to work with.  She also said that he reduced Walter Matthau to tears during the filming.

My favorite scene in the movie comes when Diana and Sidney are having a drink at the bar before the Oscars.  The bartender puts down a plate of chips and guacamole, and Diana is abhorred when she sees it.  "What is that green slime you're eating?  It looks like a dish out of Oliver Twist!" she remarks to Sidney.  He replies, "I'm not sure.  I think they just run the front lawn through a blender."

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