Sometimes I fantasize about having chums round for a poker game and serving food like Oscar “Divorced, Broke and Sloppy” Madison does in this movie.
He’s a filthy bachelor living in squalor and one of his card-shark chums observes of his disgusting, out of order fridge, “I saw milk standing in there that wasn’t even in the bottle!”
Bringing sandwiches to the poker table crammed into his armpit, the conversation goes like this:
Ha ha! Sounds a bit like the stuff in my fridge…
The basic premise of this film is that Oscar, in a moment of weakness, agrees that his friend Felix can come and stay after his wife boots him out. Alas, Felix has a million irritating habits. You know the kind of thing…
If that doesn’t make you laugh, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you…
I think this would be my desert island movie. If I could only ever see one film over and over and over and over and over, it would be this one (or maybe Groundhog Day).
I am absolutely in love with the “coo-coo” Pigeon Sisters…
When Oscar gets these beauties round for dinner, Felix ruins plans for their seduction with a burned meatloaf and a crying jag. Oscar is so annoyed with his flatmate that he sends him to Coventry and a silence descends on their living space.
In a fabulous foodie moment involving the correct term for a type of pasta, Oscar finally loses it…
In case you missed Oscar’s pasta flinging face, here it is…
I checked the Silver Screen Suppers spreadsheet for an appropriate dish to serve alongside this movie and Jack Lemmon’s recipe for a ground beef casserole seemed to fit the bill as it contained NOODLES. I am sure that Felix would have a been a bit more specific about what kind of noodle, but I went for fettuccine.
It was comfort food for a comfort movie. No matter what kind of mood I am in, I’ll be in a better mood after watching this brilliant film. If you’ve never seen it, get hold of it immediately. It’s even better feel-good therapy than eating a whole angel food cake all by yourself!
This mini-appreciation of just a few of the great food bits in The Odd Couple was written for the Food in Film Blogathon hosted by Silver Screenings and Speakeasy. Thanks for organising this Kristina and Ruth! #foodinfilm
I can’t wait to read all the other entries, you’ll find them all popping up over the next few days here…
https://hqofk.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/announcing-the-food-in-film-blogathon/
and here’s Jack’s recipe…
This review + recipe is a real treat.
First, I nearly spewed my tea while watching the Jack Lemmon Throat-Clearing clip. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this film, and I’d forgotten how funny that scene is.
Second, that recipe sounds really tasty! What time is dinner?
Third, thank you for joining the blogathon. I wouldn’t have thought of The Odd Couple as a choice for #FoodinFilm, but it was an excellent choice. My compliments to the chef!
Jack Lemmon is sooooooo good as Felix and I’m sort of glad you nearly spewed your tea! Thanks so much for hosting the blogathon – can we do it again next year?!
Dinner served by Oscar Madison is not for the faint of heart nor weak of stomach. The poker scene is my favourite, but agree that the entirety of The Odd Couple is brilliant. Neil Simon is my idea of comic perfection.
Hi Patricia! Yes, I agree, it really is comic perfection. Your website has a new fan! Jenny x
Hmm, sounds a bit like Lasagne with noodles instead of pasta sheets. .. It is a great movie though . In a sort of similar vein I would also recommend another Neil Simon/Matthau movie ‘The Sunshine Boys’ with Clark Gable’s Corned Beef Sandwich as the food. The scene’s where Richard Benjamin visit him in his apartment are priceless.
You are absolutely right Mark, it was a bit like Lasagne with noodles! Ooooh, I’ve never seen The Sunshine Boys *goes immediately to eBay – does not pass GO…*
I’ve seen this film but oddly enough don’t remember much about it! Luckily, your very interesting article as well as the clips helped to refresh my memory! Jack Lemmon clearing his sinuses is pretty hilarious!
Thank you Virginie – I just visited your blog and loved your review of L’aile ou la cuisse” – I’m definitely going to try and get hold of that on DVD if I can find one with English subtitles. Or perhaps I’ll just see if my schoolgirl French gets me through it! Jenny
Great choice, such a funny movie and the recipe to go with, perfect for comfort food. Glad you joined us for the blogathon–would love to do it again, so see you then? 🙂
Ooooh yes please, count me in if you do another! Such a rich seam for blogging. Thanks for organizing it, I loved it! Jx