They Might Be Giants (1971)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Anthony Harvey

Writers:

James Goldman (play)
James Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Mystery | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

When they reach out for each other... they touch every heart... with warmth, charm and laughter!

Plot:

They Might be Giants chronicles the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in modern-day New York City...

Plot Keywords:

Sherlock Holmes | Psychiatrist | Mental Patient | Supermarket | Hermit

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Justin Playfair
Joanne Woodward	...	Dr. Mildred Watson
Jack Gilford	...	Wilbur Peabody
Lester Rawlins	...	Blevins Playfair
Al Lewis	...	Messenger
Rue McClanahan	...	Daisy Playfair
Ron Weyand	...	Dr. Strauss
Oliver Clark	...	Mr. Small
Theresa Merritt	...	Peggy
Jenny Egan	...	Miss Finch
Jane Hoffman	...	2nd Telephone Operator
Michael McGuire	...	Telephone Guard
Eugene Roche	...	Policeman
James Tolkan	...	Mr. Brown
Kitty Winn	...	Grace

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

This film provided US Alternative rock outfit 'They Might be Giants' with their name.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Scott and Woodward are riding in a taxi, from his angle the cab is stopped; from her angle the cab is moving.

Quotes:

Justin Playfair: Dear friends, would those of you who know what this is all about please raise your hands? I think if God is dead he laughed himself to death. Because, you see, we live in Eden. Genesis has got it all wrong. We never left the Garden. Look about you. This is paradise...

Movie Connections:

References Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel (1937)

flawed but delightful fantasy/offbeat romantic comedy

They Might Be Giants is one of my two all-time favorite films. It has its problems: it's somewhat dated, the characters are often one-dimensional, and there's one scene that's SO mawkish and dated it makes me cringe (the hippie girl at the phone company). Nevertheless, it's a wonderfully constructed film with terrific performances from George C. Scott, Joanne Woodward, Jack Gilford, and many top-flight character actors. It's also a great look at NYC circa 1970, and has the best supermarket scene I've ever seen. Most of all, it's a fantasy that has firm roots in, and leads back to, reality. And it's quite romantic, too--especially for those who've had little luck in that department.