California Suite

1978
PG
1h 43m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Maggie Smith, and Elaine May in California Suite (1978)

Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

8.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 10 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Diana Barrie (Dame Maggie Smith) says that she wishes David Niven could accept her award for her because he would be witty and charming. In the play on which the movie is based, the character says "Michael Caine," but it was changed when Caine was cast as her husband.

Goofs
When Richard Pryor is on the phone with Bill Cosby during the water leak, his shirt gets wetter with each scene. However, when he gets off the phone, his shirt is completely dry.

Quotes
Hannah Warren: You're worse than a hopeless romantic. You're a hopeful one.

Crazy credits
In the opening credits, famous 70s artworks of British artist David Hockney are featured. The painting before Elaine May's name is entitled "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with two figures), 1972" and features a swimming pool with the Hollywood hills in the backdrop. The "two figures", both male, one swimming and the other standing over watching have been mysteriously edited out of the picture for some unknown reason.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: California Suite, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Uncle Joe Shannon, Every Which Way But Loose, Pinocchio (1978)

Walter Matthau's Best Performance

I know that this film does not get much acclaim, and it is indeed a rather inconsistent affair, but the fourth segment featuring the late great Walter Matthau (whom we unfortunately lost last Saturday)is absolutely hilarious and is by far and away the best in the film. Matthau is able to pull off the "hide the hooker" from my wife skit so convincingly that one could almost view this as actually happening in real life. I know of few comic actors who would not overplay this scene, and it is a great testament to the man himself.