anyone who have ever doubt ingrid bergman ability to play comedy need only look to the bell of st. mary . ok and so she a nun with tb who probably in love with fr . omalley and ( think what luis bunuel could have do with that ) and but she also display a wonderfully sly sense of fun that make you wish director have cast her in comedy more often . in cactus flower she a starched dentist nurse and ( walter matthau be the dentist ) and in love with her bos but keep it button up . when she force to act a his wife in order to hoodwink his mistress and ( do not ask ) and she let loose and the button pop . and she a joy to behold . the movie itself be a hardy than usual translation to the screen of a broadway hit and ( you can see it three act ) . it a french farce and ( it be originally while it take from the play fleur de cactas by pierre barillet and jean pierre gredy ) and and it hit all the right spot . matthau use his great hang jowl expression to wonderful effect and a klutzy blonde newcomer and a she be then and call goldie hawn almost steal the film a the dizzy mistress who decide to give up her meal ticket because she feel sorry for the wife even though the wife be have a ball . hawn make such an impression in the role that what she do steal be the academy award for best support actress .