The April Fools
The April Fools is a 1969 American romantic comedy film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Jack Lemmon and Catherine Deneuve. The film was produced through Lemmon's independent film production company, Jalem Productions.
Plot
broker Howard Brubaker is married to Phyllis, who does not love him. Catherine is the stunning French wife of an equally uncaring husband, Howard's philandering boss, Ted Gunther.The evening of the day Ted promotes Howard, Howard attends Ted's house party where Ted urges him to pick up an available woman there and proceeds to show him how. Howard reluctantly tries it on Catherine, who instantly accepts. The two leave the party and go out for a little adventure on the town. Ted is oblivious, as he is concentrating on other women at the party.
The two find their marriages are loveless as they discover more about each other that night and decide to run away together the next evening. However, Ted does not realize the other man is Howard until Howard and Catherine are about to board the plane to Paris.
Cast
Production
Jack Lemmon bought the property through his independent film production company, Jalem Production, in August 1965. The film was to be produced by Gordon Carroll, who was vice-president of Jalem Productions, and the producers signed Stuart Rosenberg to direct the picture, who was under a five-year, three-film non-exclusive contract with the company. It was supposed to be the first film made by Rosenberg for Jalem Productions, but Cool Hand Luke was filmed and released first.The female lead was originally going to be played by Shirley MacLaine, but she was not available due to commitments on Sweet Charity and campaigning for Robert F. Kennedy. Catherine Deneuve was cast instead. On 22 July 1968, filming began in New York City. On 23 October 1968, Variety announced filming completion.