Where's Poppa?

press release: USA | 1970 | 35mm | 87 min.

Director: Carl Reiner

Cast: George Segal, Ruth Gordon, Ron Leibman

Segal plays a NYC lawyer whose senile, yet domineering mother (a hilarious Gordon) has all but ruined his life. When he falls in love with his mother’s nurse (Trish Van Devere) the time has come to make some life changes. Reiner’s film displays an unfailing commitment to truly tasteless humor, and special mention must be made of the uniformly superb ensemble cast, in particular the late Leibman, who, as Segal’s brother, spends much of the movie in and out of a gorilla suit.

After a nearly 16-month hiatus, big screen movies are making their comeback at the UW Cinematheque’s regular venue, 4070 Vilas Hall! Beginning Wednesday June 30, the Cinematheque will commence six weeks of free screenings beginning with Leo McCarey’s Make Way for Tomorrow, a classic tearjerker that was originally scheduled for April 2020. The summer lineup includes canonized comedies, action blockbusters, international thrillers, contemporary gems from Asia, the complete American works of French superstar Jean Gabin, a three-film salute to Charles Bronson in honor of his centennial, and more!

Summer programming will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings and all feature films will be screened from original or archival 35mm prints. Admission, as always, is free and open to the public. Seating will be limited and socially distanced according to current UW-Madison policies. When possible, additional showtimes have been added to accommodate more viewers. All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public.