The Tiger Makes Out

I saw this movie on late night TV out of Buffalo about 30 years ago and I'm dying to see it again one more time before I... well.. you know. The interaction between the main characters after the Tiger (Eli Wallach) "captures" his prey (Anne Jackson) in a botched kidnapping attempt is absolutely hilarious. Charles Nelson Reilly's portrayal of a neurotic university dean(?) or department head is priceless. How many films can you name which are able to illuminate humanity's struggle for meaning and fulfillment by making you laugh from beginning to end? This film reminds us that we are all in that same struggle regardless of class, race, sex or religion. And who can forget the scene of the suburban homeowner on his hands and knees attacking those few tiny weeds that have dared to appear overnight on his perfectly manicure lawn!

Back in 1967, a film producer visited my family and asked if they could use our home and our neighbor's home for a new film starring Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. After negotiations, parts of the film were filmed in our home and our neighbor's home.

Since I was in about 6th grade at the time, and since it was the biggest thing to hit our neighborhood, I was allowed to stay home the day of filming.

Being curious, I approached the coach bus parked in front of my home. I stepped inside and sat next to a very nice (handsome) gentleman. We got to talking, as he was very friendly. He explained that he had a small part, not being filmed at my house, and we sat and chatted for awhile. He told me his name, Dustin Hoffman. After ten or fifteen minutes I left the bus.

Just a few years later when watching a movie with Dustin Hoffman, my dad said... isn't that the guy from The Tiger Makes Out? It sure was... and I remembered my conversation on the bus with him. Over the years, I've followed his career.

Last night I was telling a friend about this movie. We later sat down to watch "The Holiday".... I was saying, wow... ELI WALLACH...we were just talking about him. Later in the movie, when there was a short glimpse of Dustin Hoffman, did I really get the chills... Am very curious as to why Dustin made a quick appearance in another of Eli's movies.

Just wish I could get the movie on DVD... searched the internet, and it's not to be found. Too bad... what wonderful memories that movie would bring back!!

I didn't really care for this. Had they gotten rid of the comedy/slapstick and focused on the dramatic/philosophical aspects of the script, this might have been worthwhile.

The more the film went on, the less I liked the protagonist/mailman. He does have interesting things to say, but he's also a hypocritical, insecure jerk.

3/10

It's up there with Where's Poppa, The Groove Tube, Putney Swope. It memorializes the NY city mind set of the period, a wonderfully strange man with a bizarre plan, hoist by by own petard, and at last retreating into the bed of his adoptive parents. Totally absurd, its the life one sees through the magic glasses, seeing things as they "really are"... I don't think it is ever shown anymore. If so, surely someone would Tivo the thing and put it out there. A kidnap goes awry: mixed up in a rain storm, dashing in and out or storefronts, our hero tosses a raincoat over his prey and tossing her into his bicycle powered ice cream wagon spirits her off to his basement apartment in the village. He is amazed, surprised, and incredibly disappointed when the wraps come off: instead of a luscious lady, he has captures a middle ages suburban housewife who talks and talks and talks. The film is full of vignettes of the commuters life, the suburban life, the city officials, and all the attitudes so dearly held. It pushes the limits of comedy, such as magical reality might push a drama, much as Daffy Duck is able to draw on imaginative scenes to demonstrate his plight or desires, all at the very edge of plausibility. All of it is humorous, nobody is mean.

Performed 1965-66 season. Director by Jim Leighton; Porterville, Ca The Barn Theater's production of Murray Schisgal's one act plays: The Typists (with Ann B. Davis, Jim Leighton) and The Tiger (Ann. B. Davis, Bill Striglos). Information from 4 page playbill