First Monday in October (1981)

44% of users liked it
(944 ratings)

The election of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court rendered the premise of First Monday in October anachronistic before the picture was even released; ignoring this, however, the film is supremely entertaining (no pun intended). Jill Clayburgh stars as Ruth Loomis, the first lady justice ever… More The election of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court rendered the premise of First Monday in October anachronistic before the picture was even released; ignoring this, however, the film is supremely entertaining (no pun intended). Jill Clayburgh stars as Ruth Loomis, the first lady justice ever appointed to the Court. She's a conservative, while her principal foe on the bench, Dan Snow (Walter Matthau), is an old-line liberal. The film glides along on a predictable Tracy-Hepburn course until Snow comes to Loomis' defense when her late industrialist husband is accused of improprieties which might compromise Loomis' effectiveness. First Monday in October was adapted by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee from their own Broadway play, which starred Henry Fonda. Actress Martha Scott co-produced the film, while several other Hollywood veterans, including Herb Vigran and Ann Doran, dot the supporting case. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Ronald Neame
Written By: Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Aug 21, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jul 6, 2004
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
First Day in October puts up front the precise comic timing of Walter Matthau as an outspoken liberal justice of the Supreme Court.

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Cast

            Walter Matthau as Dan Snow

            Jill Clayburgh as Ruth Loomis

            Barnard Hughes as Chief Justice Crawford

            Jan Sterling as Christine Snow

            James Stephens as Mason Woods

            Joshua Bryant as Bill Russell

            Wiley Harker as Justice Harold Webb

            F.J. O'Neil as Justice Waldo Thompson

            Charles Lampkin as Justice Josiah Clewes

            Lew Palter as Justice Benjamin Halperin

            Richard McMurray as Justice Richard Carey

            Herb Vigran as Justice Ambrose Quincy

            Arthur Adams
            
            Dallas Alinder as Norman

            Nick Angotti as Plaintiff's Attorney

            James Brodhead as Court Marshal

            Jordan Charney as Doctor

            Ann Doran as Storekeeper

            Bebe Drake-Massey as Nurse

            Hugh Gillin as Southern Senator

            Dudley Knight as Assistant Manager

            Mary Munday as Head Nurse

            Bob Sherman
            
            Wendy E. Taylor as Cab Driver

            Noble Willingham as Nebraska Attorney

            Dick Winslow as Barber

            William Clark
            
            David Graham
            
            Richard McKenzie as Hostile Senator

            Joe Michael Terry
            
            Edwin M. Adams as Clergyman

            Olive Dunbar as Ms. Radabaugh

            Sig Frohlich as Custodian

            Dale E. House as Pilot

            Stanley Lawrence as Court Guard

            Edmund Stoiber as Committee Chairman

            Jim Vanko as Chief Ranger

            Ray Colbert as Senator
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