''The Pad (and How to Use It)'' is a 1966 comedy film directed by Brian G. Hutton. It was based on the one-act play ''The Private Ear'' by

Peter Shaffer Sir Peter Levin Shaffer (15 May 1926 – 6 June 2016) was an English playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. He is best known for the plays '' Equus'' and '' Amadeus'', the latter of which was adapted for the screen by Miloš Forman, with an ...

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, winning once ...

), who lives alone in his apartment, encounters whom he believes to be his ideal woman, Doreen (

Julie Sommars Julie Sommars (born April 15, 1940) is an American actress. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her role in '' The Governor & J.J.'' in 1970, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for ...

), 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 James Farentino (February 24, 1938 – January 24, 2012) was an American actor. He appeared in television, film, and on stage, including '' The Final Countdown'', ''Jesus of Nazareth'', and ''Dynasty''. Career Born in Brooklyn, Farentino attended ...

) along to the date 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 ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lut ...

''. 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 *

as Doreen Marshall *

as Ted *

Edy Williams Edwina Beth Williams (born July 9, 1942) is a retired American television and film actress who is best known for her acting work in the films of Russ Meyer, to whom she was married from 1970 to 1975. Early years Williams was born in Salt Lake Cit ...

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

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

*https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/22313 *https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/86112/the-pad-and-how-to-use-it *https://time.com/archive/6889453/cinema-people-who-use-people/ *https://variety.com/1965/film/reviews/the-pad-and-how-to-use-it-1200420988/ * 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-US-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links