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- Ronald Epstein
The Owl and the Pussycat
Since this was a movie that I have never
previously seen, I took the initiative to
do a little background check on this 1970 film.
The Owl and the Pussycat was one of
many stage to screen plays that were directed
by Herbert Ross whose future credits included
THE SUNSHINE BOYS, THE GOODBYE GIRL, FOOTLOOSE
and STEEL MAGNOLIAS.
Many of the on-line reviews I took the time
to read credited this film as being a likeable
all-time classic comedy.
Unfortunately, I didn't care for it.
The story concerns an owlish novelist named
Felix (Segal) who lives alone in his NY apartment
and spends his time clicking and clacking away at
his typewriter. One evening Felix peers out his
window and catches Doris (Streisand), a loud and
harsh prostitute entertaining a gentleman caller.
When Felix complains to the landlord, Doris is
thrown out and forced to move in with Felix. The rest
of the film involves two totally opposites who
don't necessarily attract -- or do they?
Though the movie is cleverly written, I found
it to be overly talkative and not particularly
funny. The movie has the feel of a stage play
and most of the scenes are limited to a few
different apartments where Streisand and Segal
constantly exchange their theories.
The transfer is exceptional for a film of this
era. Columbia Pictures certainly has the knack
for making their older catalog titles look pristine.
The print used is in immaculate condition. The
only flaws are in the way the movie was filmed.
The picture is very soft. Some shots are very clear,
while others have a haze to them. Again, this is
just the way the movie was shot.
I did notice, what I belive to be a goof in the
print. In chapter 25, we find Streisand and Segal
in a bubbly bathtub. Streisand asks Segal why he
and his fiancee, Weyderhaus, don't fool around.
Segal answers, "I told You". The same exact sequence
is then played again, but from a different angle.
It looks as if two separate shots were accidently
included together.
The audio, presented in mono, is quite clear.
At the end of the film, we see Streisand putting
Segal into bed as he complains about being ill.
Jazzy music plays in the background featuring
the very distinct sound of a cymbal. It was amazing
to hear the clarity of those brass plates being
clashed together and goes to prove that even a mono
track can sound very good.
The added Special Features are a bit sparse.
There is a Filmography that gives background
information on Streisand, Segal and Herbert Ross.
The included Trailers are a letdown, as there
is no included trailer for this film. Instead, there
are trailers for ROXANNE, THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES,
and FOR PETE'S SAKE. Why on earth could Columbia
not include an original trailer?
Columbia has also once again altered the original
poster art for this release, though I must admit,
the cover art featuring Streisand and Segal embracing
each other isn't as bad as some of their other
substituted artwork featured on their recent line
of releases.
I would expect there are fans who grew up with
this film that will be adding this DVD to their
collection. Fans will be extremely happy with
the clarity of this transfer. For those of you
who have never seen The Owl and the Pussycat,
this film is not worth watching other than to see
a young, sexy Streisand wearing a hot teddy with
painted hands across its breasts.
