Mikey and Nicky (1976)

 

Califormia Suite (1978)

 

Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

From memory: Similar to the previous Plaza Suite (1971), but set in L.A. instead of N.Y.C., this episodic comedy is fast-paced and witty, with some good performances, especially by Jane Fonda, but otherwise it's not much more than some simple entertainment.

Halliwell*: "Two hits, two misses; closer intercutting might have helped. No doubt that Maggie Smith and Michael Caine come off best, with bitcheries about the Academy Awards."

Maltin***: "Oscar-winning Smith and husband Caine...come off best; Pryor and Cosby...are the worst. Pleasant time-filler..." 

A New Leaf (1971)

A playboy squanders his wealth and must seek out a new source to maintain his idle rich lifestyle, and the easy way is to find a rich woman, marry her, and murder her.

Likable light comedy with an - as always- excellent Walter Matthau, but leisurely paced and with a somewhat abrupt ending.

Halliwell*: "Agreeably mordant comedy which sparkles in patches rather than as a whole."

Maltin**1/2: "Amusing comedy...Many funny moments, and May is terrific, but it's wildly uneven."