A New Leaf (film)

A New Leaf
Theatrical release poster
Directed byElaine May
Screenplay byElaine May
Story byJack Ritchie
Produced byHillard Elkins
Howard W. Koch
Joseph Manduke[1]
StarringWalter Matthau
Elaine May
Jack Weston
George Rose
James Coco
CinematographyGayne Rescher
Edited byDon Guidice
Fredric Steinkamp
Music byNeal Hefti
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • March 11, 1971 (1971-03-11)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.8 million (planned)
$4 million (final)
Box office$5 million (US/Canada) (rentals)[2]

A New Leaf is a 1971 American black comedy film written and directed by Elaine May in her directorial debut, based on the short story "The Green Heart" by Jack Ritchie. It stars May, Walter Matthau, Jack Weston, George Rose and James Coco.[1]

In the film, a patrician New York City playboy has run out of money. He decides to find a wealthy bride, and finds a shy heiress. He takes control of her finances after their wedding, and fires her dishonest staff. He carefully plans to poison her, but even his own best laid plans go awry.[3]

The film was a critical success on its initial release. However, despite several accolades, award nominations, and a run at Radio City Music Hall,[4] A New Leaf fared poorly at the box office. However, it is now considered a cult classic.[5] In 2019, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[6]

  1. ^ a b "A New Leaf". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  2. ^ "All-time Film Rental Champs". Variety. January 7, 1976. p. 48.
  3. ^ 10 Best New Hollywood Movies Directed by Women, Ranked|Collider
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT01 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ McLean, Ralph (March 11, 2016). "Cult Movies: Walter Matthau shines in A New Leaf's superlative 70s screwball comedy". Irish News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Chow, Andrew R. (December 11, 2019). "See the 25 New Additions to the National Film Registry, From Purple Rain to Clerks". Time. New York, NY. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.