The Slender Thread (1965)

77% of users liked it
(327 ratings)

Sidney Pollack marked his feature film directing debut with this taut suspense drama, based upon an actual incident reported in Time Magazine. Sidney Poitier stars as Alan Nuell, a student volunteer at a medical clinic in Seattle who answers the phone to find Inge Dyson (Anne Bancroft) on the other… More Sidney Pollack marked his feature film directing debut with this taut suspense drama, based upon an actual incident reported in Time Magazine. Sidney Poitier stars as Alan Nuell, a student volunteer at a medical clinic in Seattle who answers the phone to find Inge Dyson (Anne Bancroft) on the other end. Inge, depressed about her life, has just taken an overdose of sleeping pills. With Inge slowly dying, Alan tries to keep her talking on the phone while the police try to trace the call and save her life. Inge tells Alan that she has decided to end it all because her husband has discovered that he is not the father of her son. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Sydney Pollack
Written By: Stirling Silliphant
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 23, 1965 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 1992

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Supercharged with emotion and dramatic overtones.
A.H. Weiler, New York Times
The performances of the principals and the film's naturalistic dialogue are more memorable than the story itself.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Suffers from a slight soap opera story that fails to hold together for 98 minutes.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Poitier and Bancroft contribute to the suspense through their poignant performances.

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Cast

            Sidney Poitier as Alan Newell

            Anne Bancroft as Inga Dyson

            Telly Savalas as Dr. Coburn

            Steven Hill as Mark Dyson

            Edward Asner as Det. Judd Ridley

            Indus Arthur as Marion

            Dabney Coleman as Charlie

            Robert Hoy as Patrolman Steve Peters

            Greg Jarvis as Chris Dyson

            Jason Wingreen as Medical Technician

            Steven Marlo as Arthur Foss

            Thomas Hill as Liquor Salesman

            Lane Bradford as Al McCardle

            Janet Dudley as Edna

            John Napier as Dr. Alden Van

            John Benson as Patrolman Bert Enyard

            Kay Doubleday as Jinny

            Allen Emerson as 2nd TV Newsman

            Paul Newlan as Sgt. Harry Ward

            George Savalas as Pool Player

            Charlotte Stewart as Telephone Operator

            H.M. Wynant as Doctor

            David Harris as Nightwatchman

            Jo Helton as Registration Nurse

            Viola Harris as Telephone Supervisor

            Archie Smith
            
See full cast

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