''The Pad (and How to Use It)'' is a 1966 comedy film directed by

Brian G. Hutton Brian Geoffrey Hutton (January 1, 1935 – August 19, 2014) was an American actor and film director whose notable credits are for the action films '' Where Eagles Dare'' (1968) and ''Kelly's Heroes'' (1970). Acting career Hutton was born in New Y ...

. It was based on the one-act play ''The Private Ear'' by Peter Shaffer.

Plot

A sensitive man named Bob Handman (

Brian Bedford Brian Bedford (16 February 1935 – 13 January 2016) was an English actor. He appeared in film and on stage, and was an actor-director of Shakespeare productions. Bedford was nominated for seven Tony Awards for his theatrical work. He served ...

), who lives alone in his apartment, encounters what he believes to be his ideal woman, Doreen ( Julie Sommars), at a classical music concert. They arrange to meet at a later date at his pad. Because he is so unworldly, he asks his best friend Ted ( James Farentino) along to the date as well for moral support. It transpires that she only went to the classical concert because she was given a free ticket by a co-worker. She has no interest in classical music, which is Bob's passion. But she is charmed by Ted who prepares the evening meal and flirts with her outrageously while Bob gets drunk. Bob and Ted fall out and Doreen goes off with Ted. The movie ends with Bob sitting in a darkened room, listening to the aria from Madame Butterfly. He gets up and drags the phonograph needle across the record several times, placing the needle back on the record. As he sits in the dark crying the record skips repeatedly over the scratched aria.

Cast

as Bob Handman * Julie Sommars as Doreen Marshall * James Farentino as Ted * Edy Williams as Lavinia * Nick Navarro as Beatnik * Pearl Shear as Fat Woman * Barbara London as Waitress * Barbara Reid as Girl on the Phone * Roger Bacon as Larry * Don Conreaux as Ralph

Production

Ross Hunter bought the film rights to the play ''The Public Eye'' in 1964. Originally

Mike Nichols Mike Nichols (born Michael Igor Peschkowsky; November 6, 1931 – November 19, 2014) was an American film and theater director, producer, actor, and comedian. He was noted for his ability to work across a range of genres and for his aptitude fo ...

was meant to make his feature film debut as director with the movie. In October 1965 Hunter announced he wanted to use unknown stars and director, and the writer Tom Ryan had not done a script before.

References

External links

* 1966 films 1966 comedy films American comedy films American films based on plays Films based on plays by Peter Shaffer Films directed by Brian G. Hutton Films produced by Ross Hunter Universal Pictures films 1960s English-language films 1960s American films {{1960s-comedy-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links