House Calls (1978)
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33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
19% want to see it
(1,082 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
- Directed By
- Howard Zieff
- Written By
- Max Shulman, Julius J. Epstein, Alan Mandel, Charles Shyer
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
Critic Reviews
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A very good comedy full of deft comic performances.
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Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
House Calls is a comedy film from 1978 that features Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, and zero laughs.
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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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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Walter Matthau
as Dr. Charley Nichols
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Glenda Jackson
as Ann Atkinson
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Art Carney
as Dr. Amos Willoughby
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Richard Benjamin
as Dr. Norman Solomon
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Candice Azzara
as Ellen Grady
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Dick O'Neill
as Irwin Owett
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Thayer David
as Phil Pogostin
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Anita Alberts
as Nurse
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Taurean Blacque
as Levi
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David Bond
as Patient in wheelchair
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Judith M. Brown
as Nurse
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Jane Connell
as Mrs. Conway
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Brad Dexter
as Quinn
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William J. Fiore
as Dr. Sloan
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Lloyd Gough
as Harry Grady
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Anthony Holland
as TV moderator
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Nancy Hsueh
as Gretchen
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Gordon Jump
as Dr. O'Brien
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Sandra Kerns
as Lani Mason
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Bernie Kuby
as Minister
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Len Lesser
as Waiter
- Harlee MacBride
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Patch Mackenzie
as Edith Baskin
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Maurice Marks
as Ambulance driver
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Sally K. Marr
as Mrs. Meyers
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Ken Olfson
as Make-Up man
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John Pleshette
as Theatrical agent
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Reva Rose
as Mrs. DeVoto
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Robert Trujillo
as Mexican Boy
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Lee Weaver
as Anesthesiologist
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Kedric Wolfe
as Funeral director
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Charles Matthau
as Michael Atkinson
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Pamela Toll
as Sarah
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Susan Batson
as Shirley
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Alma Beltran
as Gina
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George Sasaki
as Hospital janitor
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Dave Morick
as Ambulance driver
- Jack Griffin
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Jesus Franco
as Bunny suited actor
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Michael Mann
as Assistant TV director
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Bob Goldstein
as Taxi cab driver