Studio head Joe Mulholland promises his dying producer and mentor, Saul Gritz, to adapt a popular sex manual into a film, despite his better judgment. Unable to figure out how to turn the nonfiction book into a narrative movie, Mulholland enlists the services of Herb Dorman, a screenwriter of popular romantic films with a bad marriage, and volatile director Sid Spokane to help him create a movie.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Walter MatthauJoe Mulholland | Joe Mulholland |
 Charles GrodinHerb Derman | Herb Derman |
 Vincent GardeniaSaul Gritz | Saul Gritz |
 Tyne DalyNancy Derman | Nancy Derman |
 Bill MacySid Spokane | Sid Spokane |
 Gilda RadnerLivia Machado | Livia Machado |
 Earl BoenMarshall | Marshall |
 Michael LernerArnie | Arnie |
 Joe MantellLarry | Larry |
 William PrinceLouis Martin | Louis Martin |
 Nita TalbotDorothy | Dorothy |
 Sandy WardDoctor | Doctor |
 Judah KatzFreddie | Freddie |
| PPeter Marc JacobsonRobin | Robin |
 Sam AndersonRay Berg | Ray Berg |
 Frances BayBetty Gritz | Betty Gritz |
 Luana AndersViolette | Violette |
 Gene DynarskiBoard Member | Board Member |
 David TressBoard Member | Board Member |
| EEugene ElmanOther Executive | Other Executive |
 Philip SterlingOther Executive | Other Executive |
 Dick YarmyOther Executive | Other Executive |
| SStanley LawrenceMan at Dedication | Man at Dedication |
| LLeslie BeeSecretary | Secretary |
| CClair E. LeucartTruck Driver | Truck Driver |
| VVictoria BolkerNurse | Nurse |
 Steve MartinFabio Longio | Fabio Longio |
 Penny MarshallReva | Reva |