The Group (1966)
-
55% of users liked it
(242 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
- Directed By
- Sidney Lumet
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- 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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
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
