New Leaf

( 1 )

Overview

Elaine May wrote and directed credits May attempted to have removed after the studio made extensive cuts in the film this dark and funny comedy about marriage, murder, and money. May also stars as Henrietta, a shy and clumsy wallflower, who is also heir to a large pile of money. Indigent playboy Graham Walter Matthau, who has squandered his inherited trust fund and needs to get a new source of money, begins to ply his affections upon Henrietta. When his butler George Rose recommends that Graham should marry ...
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DVD (Remastered / Wide Screen)
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More About This Product

Overview

Elaine May wrote and directed credits May attempted to have removed after the studio made extensive cuts in the film this dark and funny comedy about marriage, murder, and money. May also stars as Henrietta, a shy and clumsy wallflower, who is also heir to a large pile of money. Indigent playboy Graham Walter Matthau, who has squandered his inherited trust fund and needs to get a new source of money, begins to ply his affections upon Henrietta. When his butler George Rose recommends that Graham should marry Henrietta and gain control of her funds, Graham borrows money from his miserable uncle James Coco and wines and dines Henrietta. Graham's dastardly plan is to marry Henrietta, take her off on a trip to the mountains, and murder her. Graham can then return from her funeral and inherit his wealth. But thrown into his path toward the perfect murder are a collection of Henrietta's loyal -- and not so loyal -- retainers and the small dim light of Graham's own conscience.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
Though she attempted to have her name removed after extensive studio re-editing and has since disowned the film, comedy writer-performer Elaine May need not be ashamed of her directorial debut A New Leaf (1971). A somewhat retro screwball comedy about the reformation of Walter Matthau's wealthy and conceited Henry Graham through an unlikely romance with May's flaky botanist Henrietta, A New Leaf deftly sends up the excesses and idiocy of the rich, beginning with an adroit sight gag involving Henry's ever-ailing sports car. Matthau is the pompous twit incarnate, but it's no surprise that even he cannot resist May's touchingly comic bumbler as she mulls over the difference between her hopes and her dreams and immortalizes Henry as a botany footnote. The supporting cast, including James Coco as Henry's overstuffed uncle and George Rose as Henry's efficient butler, is equally as strong. Though the pacing is by no means perfect and the ending a tad abrupt, May's writerly dexterity and her way with the actors neatly overcome whatever harm may have been inflicted by the studio. Much to the disappointment of May's fans, the New Leaf director's cut has yet to surface.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/4/2012
  • UPC: 887090043502
  • Original Release: 1971

    • Rating:

  • Source: Olive Films
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Remastered / Wide Screen
  • Time: 1:42:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 2,906

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Walter Matthau Henry Graham
Elaine May Henrietta Lowell
Jack Weston Andrew McPherson
George Rose Harold, Henry Graham's butler
William Redfield Beckett
James Coco Uncle Harry
Rose Arrick Gloria Cunliffe
Mildred Clinton Mrs. Heinrich
David F. Doyle Mel
Mark Gordon John
Graham Jarvis Bo
Jess Osuna Frank
Doris Roberts Mrs. Traggert
Fred Stewart Mr. Van Rensaeller
Renée Taylor Sally Hart
Technical Credits
Elaine May Director, Screenwriter
Irving Buchman Makeup
Warren Clymer Art Director
Richard Fried Production Designer
Donald Guidice Editor
Neal Hefti Score Composer
Johnny Mandel Score Composer
Joseph Manduke Producer
Jack Petty Makeup
Gayne Rescher Cinematographer
Jack Ritchie Original Story
Franz Steininger Editor
Frederic Steinkamp Editor
Anthea Sylbert Costumes/Costume Designer
Jack Wright Jr. Set Decoration/Design
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- A New Leaf
1. Opening
2. Goodbyes
3. Uncle Harry
4. Henry Meets Henrietta
5. Playing Dirty
6. Dearly Beloved...
7. Home Sweet Home
8. Answer to Everything
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Menu

Disc #1 -- A New Leaf
   Play
   Chapters
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 1 )
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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2003

    My All-Time Favorite

    Elaine May was never more brilliant than in this wonderful satire on love and marriage. (Ms. May is grossly underrated as an American humorist, and deserves much more recognition...) Walter Matthau, as always, is a treat. Don't miss this one - it will surprise you!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Reviews