HOUSE CALLS

US, 1978, 98 minutes, Colour.
Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin.
Directed by Howard Zieff.

What an odd couple for light comedy/romance, Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson - yet they blend and carry it off very well, she with her charm and breezy Touch of Class style, he, often hilarious with his exceedingly characteristic hangdog slouch-gait, wisecracking personality. There is background satire on poorly-run hospitals and avaricious medical staff (with an enjoyable caricature by Art Carney). But this does not dominate what is really a love story for the middle-aged. Director Howard Zieff (the engaging Slither, Hollywood Cowboy and Main Event) gives the conventions the pleasant touch and relies very much on the vigour of the stars to carry it all along briskly.

1. The title, expectations: the focus on doctors, homes, patients? The stars and the expected tone from their reputations? How well were expectations fulfilled?

2. The opening quotations from the Hippocratic Oath: the truth, the irony, the satire on it throughout the film? How telling the satire, how critical?

3. How could the film best be described: comedy, romance, satire? Which aspect dominated? How well did the aspects blend?

4. The characteristics of the stars governing audience response? Walter Matthau and his comedy style, Glenda Jackson and her reputation and serious style? Their comic qualities? Blending, the background of the satire on the hospital? How satisfying?

5. Audience response to Charlie Nicholls during the introduction? The song 'The Sunny Side of the Street', the plane ride? The quick information about the hospital. his reputation there. surgeon, the death of his wife? The women's attraction towards him? As a person, as a doctor? Friendship with Norman and the scenes between the two illustrating his character? Norman's critique of him? The relationship with Willoughby and his control of the hospital? The scenes of his dating the various nurses, the money spent, a fashionable doctor with reputation and wealth? The presentation of this type of doctor and the implied critique? Audiences identifying with him, interested in him? The comedy touches in action and dialogue?

6. Art Carney's style as Willoughby? His running the hospital, the nature of his incompetence, the authority that he had? His absent-mindedness? His mistaking the names, the visit to Ann Atkinson, his not remembering Norman's name? His scheming, manoeuvring to remain head? His attitude towards the patients? The Ellen Grady situation and her husband's death, the money? His behaviour at the meeting,, politicking? His acceptance speech and Charlie turning against him? How effective a satire on hospital administration and this type of authority?

7. The importance of Norman, his place in the hospital, comments, Charlie bouncing off him, part of the status quo of the hospital?

8. The introduction to Ann - her hospitalisation, fracture, the discussion about the treatment? Her recovery? The chance encounter at the television program? Her attitude towards Charlie as a person, as a doctor? Her incessant talk and the validity of her criticisms? Her background, divorce, son? Going to work at the hospital? Advising patients against having surgery? The breaking down of the barriers between the two? Charlie and his car and his seeking Ann's help? Dinner. the night together - the watching of the basketball, the humour of the demonstration of the cinema kissing techniques?

9. The quality of the bond between the two? The nature of the contract? The collage and the effect of their sharing so much together - romantic, humorous? The use of the TV commercial style and its appropriateness here? The similarities between the two, their contrasts, the effect on each?

10. The Grady situation - the comedy of his being a patient in the hospital and the irony of the negligence in his death? The meeting, the attitude of his wife and her hard line, the lawyer? Charlie's charm and the background of Brooklyn and her changing? The satire on the funeral at the sports field? Charlie and his plans to persuade Ellen to give the money - the comedy of the night together: her hopes, his behaviour?

11. His duplicity towards Ann? The climax and his waking up on the billiard table, coming back, the shower? Her hiding his clothes and what that meant? Her son turning up? The comedy of his having to dress in her clothes and get the taxi - his appearance, Walter Matthau-style comedy? His arrival at the hospital?

12. His behaviour at the meeting, status quo? The reason for his change, the influence of Ann and her attitudes? His going in search of her?

13. What future did they have together? Their love for one another, marriage? A genuine portrait of two people in these situations?

14. How effective and important was the hospital background with its presentation of venal authorities,, grants, politics? The importance of the television argument?

15. The final effect of the film and what the audience was left with?