MovieChat Forums > Where's Poppa? (1971) Discussion > 'Alternative' Original ending

'Alternative' Original ending

posted 14 years ago by imdb050106
6 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this film tonight at Film Forum in New York, after having heard about it for 39 years from a friend from summer camp who sneaked in to see it.

Glad I finally saw it, I had only seen stills and had to go with my friend's descriptions. What a period piece this was - at times completely dated, and yet in some way timeless.

The vulgar language and scenes must have been pretty shocking at the time. But what a handsome man George Segal was...That certainly was "the look" back then - porn 'staches and thick brown ties!

He is an incredible actor, the way his face communicates a range of emotions in the closeups.

I was not aware that there were two different endings. The original incestuous ending is the better one, since it fits with the dark tone of the movie....

A movie like that CAN'T have a happy ending, it is a bizarre movie, and it has to end bizarrely.

I did think it was the ending when he dropped Momma off at the home and drove off...But there was something too "light-hearted" about it...I wonder where that mansion was on Long Island.

There is something so fascinating about seeing highways and cars from nearly 40 years ago..It's like..."did they actually have the technology then to make things like cars and highways work?"

Think what Momma could have done these days with cell phones, to drive her boy crazy!!

[–] scoggins-tom 14 years ago

I saw it yesterday at Film Forum, too.

Yes, there are two different endings to the film. The studio found the orignal ending too dark, controvesial, etc. When I first saw it 39 years ago, I saw the censored ending which is exactly the ending you were thinking: he dropped Momma off at the home and drove off. Momma says to the old man "Pappa?" The old man says: "Momma?" The End.

So seeing Carl Reiner's orignal, uncensored ending was a jolt! But I think it makes perfect sense in terms of the rest of the film.

[–] askmonroville 14 years ago

So what is the original ending and where can it be seen?

[–] nixxnutz 14 years ago

I found the DVD at my local public library, and it has both endings.

[–] jbartelone 14 years ago

Somebody should put the original ending on You Tube.

Joe

[–] rogerscorpion 11 years ago

I bought the DVD, titled 'Where's Poppa?' & it has both endings.

Carpe Noctem!

[–] rogerscorpion 11 years ago

Segal is a brilliant, unappreciated actor!

Carpe Noctem!