DOCTORS' WIVES
US, 1971, 101 minutes, Colour.
Dyan Cannon, Richard Crenna, Gene Hackman, Carroll O’Connor?, Rachel Roberts, Janice Rule, Diana Sands, Cara Williams, Richard Anderson, Ralph Bellamy, John Colicos, George Gaynes, Scott Brady.
Directed by George Schaefer.
Doctors’ Wives was considered rather lurid in 1971 – perhaps an indication of what was considered a bit off-colour and daring in those times. There were quite a number of other such films, often based on big bestsellers, like The Seven Minutes, Such Good Friends.
This is less ER or Chicago Hope than Desperate Housewives variation. Dyan Cannon is the leader of the group of neglected doctors’ wives. The doctors are led by Richard Crenna and a rather young Gene Hackman. This was the year that Gene Hackman won the Oscar for The French Connection – and became perhaps a little more discerning in his choice of roles. Some of the wives are strong screen presences like Rachel Roberts and Janice Rule.
There is nothing much to say except that this is an opportunity for looking at television soap opera style characters and interactions in the style of a more daring end of the 1960s. The film was directed by George Schaefer who worked mainly in television for over forty years. At this time he made feature films including Generation and Pendulum. However, in later years he was to make a number of significant television movies for such actresses as Bette Davis (Right of Way, Piano for Mrs Cimino), Ellen Burstyn (Mrs Delafield Wants to Marry) and Katharine Hepburn (Laura Lansing Slept Here).
The film was based on a novel by Frank G. Slaughter who wrote a number of novels which became films including Sangaree.
1 . What was the final impact of this film? For what audience was it made?
2. Where did the appeal of the film lie? It was considered as glossy garbage, almost soft core pornography, a typical Hollywood melodrama. Which description is most appropriate? why? Or are these judgements too severe?
3. How well made was the film? Its glossy surface, the sets, the colourful background, the monied background, the Club atmosphere of the doctors and their wives, the actors and the actresses chosen for the film, the background of the hospital and its work?
4. How well did the film mix genuine values with sex and abnormal behaviour? The appeal of both aspects?
5. What values did the film stand for? How realistically was it meant to be taken? How much comedy, how much satire? Was it an attack on these people or just a portrayal of them? (Getting away with as much as possible?)
6. The importance of the opening: why the separate games, Laurie and her attitudes towards the husbands, her threat of the experiment, the atmosphere of the Club and the wives, the wives questioning their husbands, the murder and the puzzle for all of them? Did this involve audience interest?
7. After Laurie’s threats and the murder, what moral stands did the film take? What were the basis of its attitude towards good and evil? Morals or expediency?
8. How important was the hospital atmosphere of the film? The satire with the student girl reading the Dedication, the portrayal of the surgery and the doctors' ability to save lives? The types of doctors, trainees?
9. Was there any insight into marriage in the portrayal of the Brennans? The quality of their marriage, the frigid wife, her migraines and wanting to be chairman, Brennan's turning towards Helen for consolation. his clash with her, his ability in operations, his decision to help Mort Gelbman with the operation and in escaping? was he a satisfactory hero for this kind of film? Amy - was she well portrayed?
10. The Randolphs: Dave Randolph as a psychologist, Della and her golf, the potential for the marriage breaking, the importance of her confession about the lesbian incident? Their reconciliation? Did this seem genuine? The dramatic impact of the long story by Della and the reconciliation?
11. How interesting a couple were the Greys? Joe Grey as an ordinary doctor, with a broken marriage? Maggie and her drinking, her bluntness, the swimming pool incident and their reconciliation? Did their marriage have a future?
12. What kind of character was Mort? A maniac, his wanting money, his evil attitudes, the fascination of such a character? His skill in the operation, the fact that he did not escape?
13. Was Laurie a credible character or was she just introduced as a dramatic catalyst for the film? Was it important that she was murdered in the first ten minutes?
14. Was there any insight into the Mc Gill couple? The fact that Paul was shot, his wife carrying on an affair, her wanting to be forgiven?
15. The role of Jake Porter and his influence on Delman? And the taking the key of the car?
16. How interesting was the portrayal of the medical students, the girl and all her tapes? How much satire in this?
17. How important for the film was the detail of the surgical work, the open heart surgery, the brain surgery? Audience response to this?
18. Was the film a successful melodrama on the whole? Its effect on audiences? It values or lack of them? Was it trash?
