Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn might have checked in to The Out-of-Towners, but it was front desk clerk John Cleese who rang the bell. He's just the latest in a long line of hip hoteliers who've given memorable performances with no reservations.
-- T. Kent Jones and Guy Nicolucci
CLERK John Cleese in The Out-of-Towners QUALIFICATIONS As proprietor of Fawlty Towers, he's clearly overqualified here. QUOTE ''Please come back when you have some money.'' ROOM SERVICE Excellent, as long as he can bring it to you dressed as a naughty French maid. CHECKED OUT TO Serve up a voice in the upcoming animated film The Magic Pudding.
CLERK Buck Henry (right) in The Graduate (1967, New Line, 106 mins., PG) QUALIFICATIONS He co-wrote it, was nominated for a best screenplay Oscar, and even helped create Maxwell Smart's shoe phone. So there. QUOTE ''Are you here for an affair?'' ROOM SERVICE Fine, as long as you pay with plastic. CHECKED OUT TO Dodge John Belushi's sword in thoseSaturday Night Live samurai bits, and write the script for To Die For.
CLERK Anthony Perkins in Psycho (1960, Universal, 109 mins., R, also on DVD) QUALIFICATIONS Mother taught him everything he knows. QUOTE ''12 cabins, 12 vacancies.'' ROOM SERVICE Makes a mess but always cleans it up. CHECKED OUT TO Star in low-budget motel chain with Psychos 2, 3, and 4.
CLERK Dennis Weaver (left) in Touch of Evil (1958, Universal, 108 mins., unrated) QUALIFICATIONS Graduated from Gabby Hayes School of Western Kooks QUOTE ''They think I'm gon' clean it up, they got another thing comin'.'' ROOM SERVICE No continental breakfast, but leather-clad gangbangers will throw you a wild reefer party. CHECKED OUT TO Salvage his career with McCloud.
CLERK Paul Reubens (left) in Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980, Universal, 95 mins., R) QUALIFICATIONS Willing to work with Cheech and Chong. QUOTE ''I know you are but what am I?'' ROOM SERVICE Shoddy; only thing on the menu is a thick cloud of pot jokes. CHECKED OUT TO Launch the stylish Pee-wee's Playhouse, which shut down just before he opened his own branch in a movie theater.
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