Petulia (1968)

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Lawrence B. Marcus (screenplay)
John Haase (novel)

Release Date:

10 June 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

...the uncommon movie.

Plot:

An unhappily married socialite finds solace in the company of a recently divorced doctor.

Plot Keywords:

Socialite | Doctor | San Francisco California | Divorce | Flash Forward

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Julie Christie	...	Petulia
George C. Scott	...	Archie
Richard Chamberlain	...	David
Arthur Hill	...	Barney
Shirley Knight	...	Polo
Pippa Scott	...	May
Kathleen Widdoes	...	Wilma
Roger Bowen	...	Warren
Richard Dysart	...	Motel Receptionist
Ruth Kobart	...	Nun
Ellen Geer	...	Nun
Lou Gilbert	...	Mr. Howard
Nate Esformes	...	Mr. Mendoza (as Nat Esformes)
Maria Val	...	Mrs. Mendoza
Vincent Arias	...	Oliver

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | West Germany:18 | UK:15 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved | USA:R

Filming Locations:

2417 Franklin Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Petersham Pictures

Trivia:

The film includes concert footage of both Big Brother & the Holding Co. (featuring Janis Joplin) and the Grateful Dead. Additionally, the hippies who observe Petulia taken out of Archie's apartment on a stretcher are members of the Grateful Dead and their communal entourage.

Goofs:

Continuity: The way Petulia holds Archie's hand in the elevator changes between shots.

Quotes:

Archie Bollen: [to Petulia] You have a very superior pelvis.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope (2004) (V)

Petulia you fool ya.....that was the original tag line

I saw this film when it opened and recently bought the video and watched it again.

I remembered being very moved by the characters and the pairing of Julie Christie and George C Scott. Christie was so young and Scott was also still quite young as well. They had great chemistry. I didn't know that Shirley Knight was nominated for an award for her role. She's very good. Her scene with Scott where she's trying to appease him and he loses his temper is electric. She says more in her look, using her eyes to convey her hurt and confusion, than most actors say in too many words.

Julie Christie has always had a way of getting under your skin. She is able to make you care for her (a lot like she did in "Darling") despite the fact that her character initially comes off as flaky or "kooky." It starts out light and amusing then turns dark and insightful. I remembered this movie for years until I was able to buy the video. It is very 60's in sensibility. So, if you weren't around during that period, see this movie. It captures the sixties in way few films have done as well.

San Francisco looks beautiful in 1967.