A New Leaf (1971)

A New Leaf
Directed by Elaine May
Written by Elaine May from a story by Jack Ritchie
1971/US
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant

Henry Graham: You dare call me a son of a bitch? Madam, I have seen many examples of perversion in my time, but your erotic obsession with your carpet is probably the most grotesque and certainly the most boring I have ever encountered. You’re more to be scorned than pitied. Good day, Mrs. Cunliffe.

Combine Elaine May’s wit and Walter Matthau playing totally against type and you get a hilarious and heartwarming comedy for the Lockdown.

Henry Graham was a trust-fund baby and employs “gentleman’s gentleman”, Harold.  He has blown through both the income and principal of the fund and is now pennyless. Harold suggests he solve his financial problems by marrying wealth.  Henry seizes on this, secretly harboring the idea of staging an accidental death after the ceremony.  He is reduced to begging a loan from his former trustee on a bet that he can find and marry a suitable woman within six weeks.  His search does not start well.

Finally, with less than a week to go, he spots wallflower Henrietta Lowell at a tea party. She is plain, gauche, friendless, and is a walking disaster area.  In a word – perfect.  Henry throws on the charm and sweeps her off her feet.  She clearly adores him.  He tries to disguise his contempt for her.  Wedding bells are ringing before the week is over,

A proposal over Mogen-David Extra-Heavy Malaga Wine with lime and soda. LOL

Never ceasing his research on how to get away with murder, Henry takes over Henrietta’s household, rapidly firing the servants that have been robbing her blind. He can’t quite find the opportunity he seeks.

Henrietta is a noted professor of botany.  Her dream is to discover a new species of fern. The two take a field trip to an isolated spot to look at plants.  What better place to have an accident?  With a hilarious Jack Weston as Henrietta’s frantic lawyer.

This movie is one truly funny moment after another.   May was responsible for the witty dialogue, the solid camera work, and an absolutely hilarious performance.  It might be hard to imagine Walter Mattau as the effete, arrogant snob type but he carries it off with aplomb.  My favorite scene is during the wedding night when Henrietta puts her head through the armhole of a toga nightgown and Henry tries to unravel her.  Highly recommended, including to those putting together a 1971 films list.

Clip – Henry’s search for a spouse