Sunday, June 10, 2012

1000 Words

1000 Words

Walter Mathau was no stranger to fishing films--his brace of ice fishing movies in the Grumpy Old Men franchise were about the best depiction of winter angling in the north country as has been put on film.

But many people don't realize that the iconic role of Max Goldman was not his first fishing role. In 1972--just four years after his legendary role as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple--Mathau starred in a film called Pete 'n' Tillie with Carol Burnett. It's a sad film that sees his lead character try to shield his terminally ill son, played by Lee Montgomery, from the sadness of his illness. He takes him fly fishing in one particularly poignant scene, depicted below.



The film received good reviews and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including best adapted screenplay. Mathau won a BAFTA award for his work in this film.

-- Dr. Todd

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