One of Walter Matthau's best movies, the 1971 comedy A New Leaf, isn't on DVD but it will be screening Thursday, January 26 at LACMA. The film was written and directed by comedienne Elaine May. She also co-stars as a klutzy heiress whom a penniless Matthau decides to wed for her money. It's truly one of the funniest movies either actor ever made. Doris Roberts and Jack Weston co-star as freeloaders who realize that their days of mooching off May's character are over once Matthau enters the picture.
May was a stage actress who, along with director Mike Nichols, helped launch the comedy troupe that would bcome Second City in Chicago. There was talk of remaking A New Leaf, which fortunately never came to pass, but her next film, The Heartbreak Kid, was remade (to terrible reviews) with Ben Stiller. May would go on to direct one of Hollywod's most infamous bombs, Ishtar, but A New Leaf remains a quirky delight that perfectly showcases her and Matthau's comedic skills.
Also on the program (and included in the $10 general admission price, or $5 on its own) is the Mae West comedy She Done Him Wrong, which screens at 9:25 p.m. The screening is part of Film Independent's salute to 100 years of Paramount Pictures. Upcoming movies include Plantinum Blonde on January 31 and Charade (co-starring Matthau) on February 7.
Date: January 26, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bing Theater
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles California 90036
Price: $10 for the general public
$7 for LACMA members, seniors and students with ID
$5 for Film Independent, LACMA Film Club, and New York Times Film Club members.
More information at the LACMA site.
You can also buy tickets online.
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