Harry and Tonto (1974)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Paul Mazursky (written by) and
Josh Greenfeld (written by)

Release Date:

15 January 1975 (France)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

When his apartment building is torn down, a retired lifelong New Yorker goes on a cross country odyssey with his beloved cat Tonto.

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Retired | Teacher | New York City | Massage

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Art Carney	...	Harry Coombes
René Enríquez	...	Jesús - Deli Manager
Herbert Berghof	...	Jacob Rivetowski
Michael McCleery	...	Mugger
Avon Long	...	Leroy
Rashel Novikoff	...	Mrs. Rothman
Philip Bruns	...	Burt Coombes (as Phil Bruns)
Cliff De Young	...	Burt Coombes Jr.
Josh Mostel	...	Norman Coombes (as Joshua Mostel)
Dolly Jonah	...	Elaine Coombes
Sybil Bowan	...	Old Landlady
Joe Madden	...	Panhandler
Bette Howard	...	Morgue Clerk
Patricia Fay	...	Airport Security Woman
Muriel Beerman	...	Taxi Driver

Runtime:

Canada:115 min | USA:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | West Germany:18 | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Sweden:Btl | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Batavia, Illinois, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

James Cagney was originally offered the role of Harry. Other people considered for the role were Sir Laurence Olivier and Cary Grant before Art Carney was finally cast. Paul Mazursky's words to Carney were "You'll win an Oscar," which turned out to be prophetic.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Harry is briefly jailed, he is allowed to keep his suitcase and other personal belongings in his cell. None of these things would ever be allowed in a holding tank.

Quotes:

Harry: Shirley?
Shirley: What?
Harry: Do you love me?
Shirley: Look, I'll tell you something, Harry: I don't always like you, but I do love you.
Harry: Then why do we always argue?
Shirley: I don't know. I guess that's the way we talk to each other, Harry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (1995) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)

A truly heartwarming movie

I saw the movie for the first time on AMC and enjoyed it a lot. You don't see movies of this type anymore and when you see one like this you can't forget it. I thought Art Carney did a tremendous job acting as Harry. It also tended to remind people that they get old and lose their friends due to death and search for new companions.