House Calls (1978)

TOMATOMETER

29%

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

45%

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Movie Info

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.

Cast

Glenda Jackson
as Ann Atkinson
Walter Matthau
as Dr. Charley Nichols
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 Pogostin
Anthony Holland
as TV moderator
Harlee MacBride
Reva Rose
as Mrs. DeVoto
Sandra Kerns
as Lani Mason
Brad Dexter
as Quinn
Jane Connell
as Mrs. Conway
Lloyd Gough
as Harry Grady
Gordon Jump
as Dr. O'Brien
William J. Fiore
as Dr. Sloan
Taurean Blacque
as Levi
Charles Matthau
as Michael Atkinson
Ken Olfson
as Make-Up man
Len Lesser
as Waiter
Jesús Franco
as Bunny suited actor
Nancy Hsueh
as Gretchen
Lee Weaver
as Anesthesiologist
Susan Batson
as Shirley
Alma Beltran
as Gina
Pamela Toll
as Sarah
Anita Alberts
as Nurse
Enzo Gagliardi
as Singing Waiter
Bob Goldstein
as Taxi Driver
Bernie Kuby
as Minister
Patch Mackenzie
as Edith Baskin
Maurice Marks
as Ambulance driver
Sally K. Marr
as Mrs. Meyers
Harlee McBride
as Nurse
Judith Brown
as Nurse
David Bond
as Patient in wheelchair
Walter D. O'Donnell
as Patient in Elevator
Kyle Oliver
as Joey de Voto
George Sasaki
as Hospital janitor
Roberto Trujillo
as Mexican Boy
Kedric Wolfe
as Funeral director
Robert Trujillo
as Mexican Boy
Michael Mann
as Assistant TV director
Dave Morick
as Ambulance driver
John Pleshette
as Theatrical agent
Jack Griffin
as Bunny-Suited Actor
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Critic Reviews for House Calls

All Critics (7)

Though poor on character development, it catches the flavor of what a mediocre hospital looks like.

Oct 28, 2015 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A very good comedy full of deft comic performances.

Oct 9, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Fantastica Daily

House Calls is a comedy film from 1978 that features Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, and zero laughs.

Jun 8, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
DVDTalk.com

Howard Ziff directs this romantic comedy with a nutty appreciation for its likeable characters.

Jan 24, 2004 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice
View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for House Calls

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