Where's Poppa? (1970)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(1,153 ratings)

Director Carl Reiner, most closely associated with the homey values of situation comedies, shocked, surprised, and (in some cases) delighted his admirers with the jet-black comedy Where's Poppa?. George Segal plays Gordon Hocheiser, a New York attorney whose love life is constantly being sabotaged… More Director Carl Reiner, most closely associated with the homey values of situation comedies, shocked, surprised, and (in some cases) delighted his admirers with the jet-black comedy Where's Poppa?. George Segal plays Gordon Hocheiser, a New York attorney whose love life is constantly being sabotaged by his senile mother (Ruth Gordon), who constantly asks the question of the title. (She doesn't realize Poppa is dead). Every time Gordon has a prospective bride or lover lined up, Mrs. Hocheiser gums up the works with her insane behavior. The attorney at last finds a kindred spirit in the beautiful caregiver Louise Callan (Trish VanDevere), who has likewise been a victim of someone else's eccentricities (her first husband used the conjugal bed as his own personal toilet). When Mrs. Hocheiser chases Louise away like she has all the others, Gordon begins entertaining notions of killing his mother. In desperation, Gordon begs his brother Sidney (Ron Leibman) to take his mother off his hands, which leads to several comic vignettes in deliriously bad taste. The film's incest-themed original ending (trimmed from the video version but still included in cable prints) finds Gordon climbing into bed with Mrs. Hocheiser, only to be greeted with a "Here's Poppa." The celebrated "tush scene," wherein Mrs. Hocheiser bites Gordon on his bare backside while Louise looks on in horror, packed a real wallop back in the early '70s, as did a courtroom scene involving a disgruntled hippie (Rob Reiner) and a psychotic U.S. general who graphically describes his homicidal acts against the Vietnamese. Though Carl Reiner would continue to "push the envelope" in his later films (Steve Martin as a "poor black child"? George Burns as God?) he would never again attempt anything as risky as Where's Poppa?. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Carl Reiner
Written By: Robert Klane
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1970 Wide
On DVD: Dec 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Risky Freudian punchlines
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's the Mother of all Jewish-mother joke films.
Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy
It's a shame, but you'd never be able to make a film like Where's Poppa? in today's stifling climate of uptight political correctness.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An insane black comedy that pushed the envelope even in 1970. It's really hilarious, but a bit shocking at the same time. Gordon and Segal are great actors and both give fantastic performances. I really liked this crazy movie.
jd c

A deranged comedy, with some deranged characters, that will have you laughing at it's deranged stupidity. "Gordon, as the widowed mother, is in senile dementia constantly asking "Where's Poppa?" and scaring off nurses and Segal's girlfriends with her… More
A deranged comedy, with some deranged characters, that will have you laughing at it's deranged stupidity. "Gordon, as the widowed mother, is in senile dementia constantly asking "Where's Poppa?" and scaring off nurses and Segal's girlfriends with her bawdy eccentricities. In her mental lapses she can't remember her son is a grown man, and when he brings home Trish Van Devere the mother suddenly describes the size of her son's sex organs as if he were a child. Van Devere as a prospective nurse looks like the Angel of Mercy with her sweet pure face framed in a white cap, but she is also a little insane." This movie is hilarious. Not laugh out loud humor, and not raunchy like today's comedies, but still fu**ing funny as hell. Where's Poppa? is an intelligent, smart, dark and twisted little comedy. There's some pretty messed up shit in this movie and some hysterical, over the top, classic one liners, such as... "He's got a pecker this big." "And I want you to know that if you mess this one up for me, I'm gonna punch your fuckin' heart out." "He made a caca on the bed." You'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you see this movie. Funny shit! Well acted, smart, funny, and Highly recommended! <img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/WheresPoppa.jpg">
Anthony V

For those who like their comedies sick and twisted.
Christopher B

One of the first comedies to truly revel in bad taste. Prepare to laugh at rape, incest, hippies, defecation and attempted murder. Segal plays the ultimate broken man and Gordon is amazing as his whacked out momma. If this film were released today I'm certain it would destroy… More
One of the first comedies to truly revel in bad taste. Prepare to laugh at rape, incest, hippies, defecation and attempted murder. Segal plays the ultimate broken man and Gordon is amazing as his whacked out momma. If this film were released today I'm certain it would destroy careers rather than create them. Sad.

Cast

            George Segal as Gordon Hocheiser

            Ruth Gordon as Mrs. Hocheiser

            Ron Leibman as Sidney Hocheiser

            Trish VanDevere as Louise Callan

            Barnard Hughes as Col. Hendriks

            Vincent Gardenia as Coach Williams

            Rae Allen as Gladys Hocheiser

            Paul Sorvino as Owner of Gus & Grace's Home

            William Le Massena as Judge

            Israel Lang as Muthafucka

            Garrett Morris as Garrett Central Park Mugger

            Arnold Williams as Arnold

            Buddy Butler as Buddy

            Martha Greenhouse as Owner of Happytime Farms

            Jane Hoffman
            
            Helen Martin as Job Applicant

            Tom Atkins as Policeman in Apartment

            Alice Drummond as Woman in Elevator

            Jack Manning as Lawyer for Memphis Maulers

            John Gilliar as Policeman in Courthouse

            Rehn Scofield as Bailiff

            John McCurry as Policeman in Jail Cell

            April Geleta as Taxi Lady

            Edwart Brooks as Sheldon Hocheiser

            Benson W. Terry as Cab Driver

            Fuddles as Shoeshine Man

            Michael McGuire as Army Lawyer

            Rob Reiner as Roger the Defendant

            Joe Keyes as Gang Leader

            Florence Tarlow as Miss Morgan

            Trish Van Devere
            
See full cast