The Adding Machine (film)
| The Adding Machine | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jerome Epstein |
| Written by | Jerome Epstein |
| Based on |
The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice |
| Produced by | Jerome Epstein |
| Starring |
Milo O'Shea Phyllis Diller Billie Whitelaw Sydney Chaplin Raymond Huntley |
| Cinematography |
Walter Lassally Ronnie Fox Rogers |
| Edited by | Gerry Hambling |
| Music by |
Mike Leander Lambert Williamson |
Production company |
Associated London Films |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
23 September 1969 |
Running time |
100 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $500,000 |
The Adding Machine is a 1969 British fantasy comedy drama film produced, written, and directed by Jerome Epstein and starring Milo O'Shea, Phyllis Diller, Billie Whitelaw, Sydney Chaplin, and Raymond Huntley.
It is based on a stage production of the 1923 Elmer Rice play The Adding Machine directed by Epstein in Los Angeles in the 1940s.
The setting of The Adding Machine takes place on both Earth and in Heaven. For the film, Epstein set the earthly action in Manhattan in the 1930s during the Great Depression.
The movie was shot at Shepperton Studios outside London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Jack Shampan. It was distributed in the United Kingdom by Universal Pictures.
Plot
An accountant whose job is about to be taken over by a comptometer (a primitive adding machine) starts to re-examine his life and his priorities.
Cast
- Milo O'Shea as Mr. Zero
- Phyllis Diller as Mrs. Zero
- Billie Whitelaw as Daisy Devore
- Sydney Chaplin as Lieutenant Charles
- Julian Glover as Shrdlu
- Raymond Huntley as Smithers
- Phil Brown as Don
- Paddie O'Neil as Mabel
- Libby Morris as Ethel
- Hugh McDermott as Harry
- Bill Nagy as Lawyer
- Carol Cleveland as Judy
- Bruce Boa as Detective
Reception
The film (and the play) received a critical 1969 review from Roger Greenspun.