The Group (1966)

55% of users liked it
(230 ratings)

Based on the novel by Mary McCarthy, The Group was one of the slickest, and most highly publicized, cinematic soap operas of the 1960s. Filmed largely in New York, the story charts the exploits of eight young women, all of whom graduate from an exclusive Vassar-ish college in the middle of the… More Based on the novel by Mary McCarthy, The Group was one of the slickest, and most highly publicized, cinematic soap operas of the 1960s. Filmed largely in New York, the story charts the exploits of eight young women, all of whom graduate from an exclusive Vassar-ish college in the middle of the Depression. Among the talented young actresses making their screen debuts herein are Candice Bergen as Lakey, the group's resident Lesbian; Joan Hackett as Dottie, a repressed socialite who takes up with bohemian artist Dick Brown (Richard Mulligan); Joanna Pettet as Kay, who marries philandering playwright Harald Peterson (Larry Hagman); and Kathleen Widdoes as Helena, the wealthiest of the girls who insists upon proving her value in the workplace. The other girls are Pokey (Marin-Robin Redd), who seems happiest when pregnant; Jessica Walter as Libby, the group's viper-tongued gossip and the darling of the Manhattan literary set (some have suggested that McCarthy based this character on herself); Elizabeth Hartman as Priss, the requisite heart-on-sleeve liberal; and Shirley Knight as Polly, whose bumpy love life culminates in a very colorful engagement party. Hal Holbrook, likewise making his first screen appearance, plays Gus LeRoy. Sumptuously produced, The Group is a bit empty dramatically, though the sheer volume of continuing characters manages to sustain audience interest. (Incidentally, here's a note for "blooper" spotters: wasn't the Pan Am building constructed in the 1950s? ) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 4, 1966 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A high-class soap opera about eight women graduates in 1933 from Vassar.

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Cast

            Candice Bergen as Lakey Eastlake

            Joan Hackett as Dottie Renfrew

            Elizabeth Hartman as Priss Hartshorn

            Shirley Knight as Polly Andrews

            Joanna Pettet as Kay Strong

            Jessica Walter as Libby MacAusland

            Mary-Robin Redd as Pokey Prothero

            Kathleen Widdoes as Helena Davison

            James Broderick as Dr. Ridgeley

            James Congdon as Sloan Crockett

            Larry Hagman as Harald Peterson

            Hal Holbrook as Gus  Leroy

            Richard Mulligan as Dick Brown

            Robert Emhardt as Mr. Andrews

            Carrie Nye as Norine

            Philippa Bevans as Mrs. Hartshorn

            Leta Bonynge as Mrs. Prothero

            Marion Brash as Radio Man's Wife

            Bill Fletcher as Bill the Actor

            George Gaynes as Brook Latham

            Martha Greenhouse as Mrs. Bergler

            Russell Hardie as Mr. Davison

            Vincent Harding as Mr. Eastlake

            Doreen Lang as Nurse Swenson

            Baruch Lumet as Mr. Schneider

            John O'Leary as Putnam Blake

            Hildy Parks as Nurse Catherine

            Polly Rowles as Mrs. Andrews

            Douglas Rutherford as Mr. Prothero

            Truman Smith as Mr. Bergler

            Arthur Anderson as Pokey's Husband

            Leora Dana as Mrs. Renfrew

            Richard Graham as Rev. Garland

            Ed Holmes as Mr. MacAusland
See full cast

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