Watch Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad

Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad is a dark comedy from 1967, directed by Richard Quine, and based on the play by Arthur Kopit. The film stars Rosalind Russell as Madame Rosepettle, a domineering and manipulative mother who takes her deceased husband's rotting corpse with her on a vacation to the Caribbean, along with her son Jonathan (Robert Morse) and her maid Rosalie (Barbara Harris).

The film opens with Madame Rosepettle checking into the luxurious Hotel Miramar on the island of San Sebastian with her family and her bizarre butler, Commodore Roseabove (Jonathan Winters). Her only concern seems to be the safety and comfort of her dear, silent husband, who she has packed in a large trunk and insists on carrying with her everywhere she goes. She treats Jonathan like a child and lavishes attention on the oblivious and loyal butler, all while keeping a sinister secret from them.

As soon as they arrive at the hotel, Madame Rosepettle begins asserting control over the staff, who fear her as much as they pity her. Her peculiar demands and habits quickly escalate, eventually taking a dark turn as she begins hinting at her true intentions for her dead husband, and revealing the twisted mind beneath her superficial politeness. Jonathan, meanwhile, struggles to understand his mother's behavior and reconcile his feelings for her with his own desire for independence and love.

The film is a satire of American consumerism, sexual repression, and toxic family dynamics, all wrapped within a macabre and absurd package. The contrast between the opulent, colorful setting and the gruesome, decaying corpse adds an extra layer of discomfort and tension to the already strange scenario. Rosalind Russell gives a standout performance as Madame Rosepettle, oozing with charm, menace, and madness in equal measure. Her interactions with the other characters, including the terrified hotel manager (Pogo) and the dimwitted Rosalie, are both hilarious and disturbing.

Robert Morse, fresh off his success in the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, is a great foil to Russell's overbearing character. As Jonathan, he plays the naive and frustrated son with a mix of exasperation and sympathy, trying to navigate the strange world his mother has created for him. Barbara Harris, in her film debut, brings a touch of playfulness and naivete to the role of Rosalie, whose innocence becomes an unwitting ally to Jonathan's rebellion.

The film's screenplay, adapted by Kopit himself, is filled with clever wordplay, absurd situations, and dark humor, making it a challenging but rewarding watch for fans of unconventional comedy. The direction by Quine, known for his romantic comedies, adds a dreamy, surreal quality to the film, emphasizing the characters' detachment from reality and their own emotions.

Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad is not a film for everyone, and its bizarre subject matter and tone may be off-putting to some viewers. However, for those willing to embrace its weirdness and appreciate its subversive wit, it offers a memorable and enjoyable ride.

Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad is a 1967 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.