House Calls (1978)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Howard Zieff

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (story)
Alan Mandel (writer)

Release Date:

7 August 1978 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

More than a touch of comedy. Just what the doctor ordered.

Plot:

Charley is a surgeon who's recently lost his wife; he embarks on a tragicomic romantic quest with one woman after another until he meets up with Ann...

Plot Keywords:

Enema | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Walter Matthau	...	Dr. Charley Nichols
Glenda Jackson	...	Ann Atkinson
Art Carney	...	Dr. Amos Willoughby
Richard Benjamin	...	Dr. Norman Solomon
Candice Azzara	...	Ellen Grady
Dick O'Neill	...	Irwin Owett
Thayer David	...	Phil Pogostin
Anthony Holland	...	TV moderator
Reva Rose	...	Mrs. de Voto
Sandra Kerns	...	Lani Mason
Brad Dexter	...	Quinn
Jane Connell	...	Mrs. Conway
Lloyd Gough	...	Harry Grady
Gordon Jump	...	Dr. O'Brien
William J. Fiore	...	Dr. Sloan

Runtime:

USA:98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:7 | USA:PG

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The song that Walter Matthau is attempting to sing in the shower is Cherubino's song from Act II of Mozart's "Nozze di Figaro"

Quotes:

Ann Atkinson: You broke my heart!
Dr. Charley Nichols: Don't worry, I'm a doctor, I can fix it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men (#5.10)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

On the sunny side of the street

So romantic it hurts....

when I know that Walter will never grace another set.I was in my 30's when I first saw this sweet,endearing and unabashedly romantic film.I loved it from the first scene,and all the way through to the end.Art Carney was his usual daft self; Glenda matched Walter step for step in the witticisms;and Richard Benjamin supplied the sarcastic voice of reason that he does so well.Along the way there were many actors whom we all recognize,doing their usual brilliance. There are a couple of lines in the movie which my SO and I have used throughout the years,but I won't say anything about them here.I'm pretty sure you will know which two I am talking about. Just get this movie.Make some popcorn,grab your squeeze(if he is as sappy as mine is,for which I am thankful),and enjoy this standout romantic comedy from the 70's. You will not be disappointed. However,I have the feeling that I am preaching to the choir here because anyone who loves Walter will already own it.I'm very glad it's out on DVD now,finally.