House Calls (1978)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(1,236 ratings)

Recently widowed Dr. Nichols (Walter Matthau) finds himself ill at ease in re-entering the singles scene. Then he meets Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), a patient recuperating from a jaw operation. Freshly divorced from a philandering spouse, Jackson is as reluctant to inaugurate a lasting commitment… More Recently widowed Dr. Nichols (Walter Matthau) finds himself ill at ease in re-entering the singles scene. Then he meets Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), a patient recuperating from a jaw operation. Freshly divorced from a philandering spouse, Jackson is as reluctant to inaugurate a lasting commitment as Walter--but inaugurate they do, in a hilarious scene wherein Jackson and Walter try to emulate those romantic couples in 1930s movies who were forced by the censors to keep one foot on the floor while lying in bed. It is Jackson who encourages Matthau to stand up for his ideals during a lawsuit involving senile head physician Dr. Willoughby (Art Carney, who is unbearably funny at times). Richard Benjamin rounds off the cast of polished farceurs who add so much sparkle to House Calls. The film was later adapted into a TV sitcom starring Wayne Rogers in the Matthau role, Lynn Redgrave (and later Sharon Gless) in the Jackson counterpart, and David Wayne as a less aphasiatic version of the Carney character. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Howard Zieff
Written By: Max Shulman, Julius J. Epstein, Alan Mandel, Charles Shyer
Genres: Comedy, Romance

On DVD: May 31, 2005

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A very good comedy full of deft comic performances.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
House Calls is a comedy film from 1978 that features Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, and zero laughs.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Howard Ziff directs this romantic comedy with a nutty appreciation for its likeable characters.

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Cast

            Walter Matthau as Dr. Charley Nichols

            Glenda Jackson as Ann Atkinson

            Art Carney as Dr. Amos Willoughby

            Richard Benjamin as Dr. Norman Solomon

            Candice Azzara as Ellen Grady

            Dick O'Neill as Irwin Owett

            Thayer David as Phil Pogostin

            Anita Alberts as Nurse

            Taurean Blacque as Levi

            David Bond as Patient in wheelchair

            Judith M. Brown as Nurse

            Jane Connell as Mrs. Conway

            Brad Dexter as Quinn

            William J. Fiore as Dr. Sloan

            Lloyd Gough as Harry Grady

            Anthony Holland as TV moderator

            Nancy Hsueh as Gretchen

            Gordon Jump as Dr. O'Brien

            Sandra Kerns as Lani Mason

            Bernie Kuby as Minister

            Len Lesser as Waiter

            Harlee MacBride
            
            Patch Mackenzie as Edith Baskin

            Maurice Marks as Ambulance driver

            Sally K. Marr as Mrs. Meyers

            Ken Olfson as Make-Up man

            John Pleshette as Theatrical agent

            Reva Rose as Mrs. DeVoto

            Robert Trujillo as Mexican Boy

            Lee Weaver as Anesthesiologist

            Kedric Wolfe as Funeral director

            Charles Matthau as Michael Atkinson

            Pamela Toll as Sarah

            Susan Batson as Shirley

            Alma Beltran as Gina

            George Sasaki as Hospital janitor

            Dave Morick as Ambulance driver

            Jack Griffin
            
            Jesus Franco as Bunny suited actor

            Michael Mann as Assistant TV director

            Bob Goldstein as Taxi cab driver
See full cast