MovieChat Forums > A New Leaf (1971) Discussion > Supporting cast

Supporting cast

posted 17 years ago by cincyguy90
9 replies | jump to latest

I've always loved this film. It isn't perfect, likely because the film wasn't what May intended, but it is still a delight and I never tire of it. As great as May and Matthau are, for me the superb supporting cast is a joy. WESTON, ROSE, COCO, ROBERTS (well before TV beckoned), TAYLOR, REDFIELD, JARVIS, DOYLE all had Broadway credits as long as your arm. This cast knew what acting was all about and the result showed in the film. This was far more a NY film than a Hollywood film. My bet is that May was responsible for signing this dream cast.

[–] Skragg 16 years ago

It's about the only time I ever saw Graham Jarvis play a ditzy rich character, as opposed to the down-to-earth kind (think Charlie on "Mary Hartman"). I've always like his line to the country club waiter (who has to feign interest) - "But I sprayed, and now the crowngold is gone."

[–] cincyguy90 16 years ago

Jarvis had a small role but he made the most of every line. I also liked Henry's reply to Jarvis' query "Have I ever told you about my apple trees?" or words to that effect. Henry's reply: "Frequently."

[–] ekeby 16 years ago

I agree with you completely on this film. Years later when Doris Roberts got famous for Everybody Loves Raymond, I could never see her without thinking of the wonderful wink she gives in that scene with Matthau. Just perfect. Makes me laugh to think about it now . . . :)

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[–] stevenrjohnson 10 years ago

Agreed, a great cast who all seemed to be on May's wavelength.

I'm stumped, though: was the character listed in the database's credits as "John" Henrietta's chauffeur? The actor's name is given as Mark Gordon, but I would have sworn it was Joe Santos, best known as Dennis Becker on "The Rockford Files." Have the two ever appeared in the same place at the same time?

[–] janet-conant 8 years ago

I know just what you mean about John the chauffeur resembling a young Joe Santos. I saw A New Leaf one night and next day saw Joe Santos on Match Game and felt they were the same actor. I do however believe they are two different people. Mark Gordon had a different set of teeth but he still resembled him.

[–] Quicksilver1900 10 years ago

George Rose's character Harold was one of my all-time favourite movie characters. I watch this film all the time and the highlights are when he speaks. I love the scene where he picks Henry up at the airport:

Harold: "Where's Mrs Graham? (panicky)

Henry: "Who?"

Harold: "Oh, there you are, Madam! Welcome home! Allow me to express my great joy at seeing you again."

Henrietta: "Thank you, Harold. Heavens!"

[–] Jem333 10 years ago

I love that character (Harold the butler) too, especially his astute analysis of how much Henry's competence had inadvertently improved in the process of helping Henrietta.

Harold used the phrase "I took the liberty' and I was reminded of him when Frasier hired a butler who said the same thing and generally had similar affectations to Harold. I wonder if this was an homage to "A New Leaf" by the Frasier writers.

[–] ElRaisuli 8 years ago

I could swear that the unseen voice of one of the "Boston Hitlers" is John Hillerman ("Higgins" of "Magnum P.I." fame).

We never see who is speaking that line, but it sure does sound like Hillerman. It could easily have been dubbed in at a later date.

[–] ElRaisuli 8 years ago

I knew I'd seen the guy playing "John, the Chauffeur" somewhere else. Turns out that Mark Gordon also played "Chuckles the Clown" on the Mary Tyler Moore Show in the episode "Son of 'But Seriously, Folks,'" a sequel to an earlier episode guest starring Jerry Van Dyke ("But Seriously, Folks").

https://youtu.be/rHTw2IdeuzQ?t=8m7s

It's actually a pretty lengthy scene. Gordon was the second and last person to portray Chuckles. The first was Richard Schaal (Valerie Harper's then husband) who played the role in "The Snow Must Go On." Chuckles would later die off screen (dressed as a peanut, he is "shelled to death" by a rogue elephant) in the classic episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust."