by David C. Terr

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Title: Barefoot in the Park

Director: Gene Saks

Starring: Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Charles Boyer, Mildred Natwick

Release Date: May 25, 1967 (USA)

Running Time: 106 min

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Commentary
Barefoot in the Park is a wonderful movie based on the classic play of the same title by Neil Simon. Both Robert Redford and Jane Fonda play superb roles as newlyweds with rather serious problems getting along. Barefoot in the Park is one of several situation comedies by Neil Simon, and the best in my opinion.

Plot Summary
Paul Bratter (Robert Redford), a conservative young lawyer, marries Corie (Jane Fonda), a vivacious young girl. They move into a small 6th floor apartment in New York City with no elevator. They soon discover that they seem to have nothing in common, which nearly destroys their marriage, but they manage to work things out by the end of the movie.

Cultural Significance
Barefoot in the Park is one of many very funny situation comedies written by Neil Simon. Some others include the following:

• The Odd Couple (1968)
• The Out of Towners (1970)
• Plaza Suite (1971)
• The Goodbye Girl (1977)
• California Suite (1978)
• The Marrying Man (1991)