The April Fools 1969

The film opens at an extravagant Wall Street party, hosted by the charming yet manipulative Ted, Howard’s Boss and the CEO of a major Wall Street firm. This lively event serves as a gathering for affluent Wall Street traders and their associates, all eager to mingle and impress potential romantic partners. Ted takes it upon himself to encourage Howard, introducing him to the art of successfully attracting women, guiding him through the maze of flirtation with a sense of bravado. Yet, much to Howard’s dismay, he feels quite out of place. He awkwardly makes his rounds, finding it difficult to connect with any of the numerous intoxicated, alluring, yet somewhat crude women attending the lavish affair.

Amidst the chaos of the party, Howard crosses paths with Catherine, who, like him, seems disenchanted by the overwhelming atmosphere and the ostentatious characters surrounding them. As they navigate through the crowd, they share a fleeting moment of understanding, and an instant attraction blossoms between them. Recognizing that they both desire something more refined, they decide to escape the raucous celebration in search of a more civilized environment. As Catherine gathers her coat, Ted hands Howard a key to a nightclub he considers his “second home,” dubbing it The Safari Club.

Once they hail a cab and arrive at The Safari Club, Howard is taken aback by the outlandish scene. The atmosphere is filled with scantily clad women acting as though they were from a primal, prehistoric world, housed in cages as if on display. In a bizarre twist, male patrons are equipped with pop guns to humorously shoot at the women. Unbeknownst to Howard, he has yet to learn that Catherine is, in fact, Ted’s wife. Realizing that they have stumbled upon another ridiculous scene akin to the party they just left, the two agree that perhaps they should find somewhere else to continue their night.

Catherine suggests they go dancing, leading them to a trendy club featuring live music where they can let loose and truly enjoy themselves. It is at this lively venue that Catherine encounters an astrologist, who reveals to her that Ted is not an ideal love match, but rather, Howard is her perfect counterpart. Intrigued, Catherine begins to see the weight of this revelation.

In a moment of vulnerability, Catherine confesses her desire to leave Ted the very next day, yearning to return to her hometown of Paris. In an equally impulsive decision, Howard decides to leave his uncaring wife behind—and his son, who appears indifferent to his father’s existence—and join Catherine on her flight to freedom in Paris.

As the plot unfolds, we witness the various obstacles Howard faces in order to board the plane with Catherine. Ted, fully aware of his wife’s intentions, goes to great lengths to win her back, further complicating Howard’s quest for love and happiness. After a series of comedic yet heart-wrenching events, Howard ultimately prevails and manages to board the plane just in the nick of time. The film concludes with a poignant moment, as the two hold hands, signaling the start of their new journey together in Paris.