The Swimmer Photos

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Cast

Burt Lancaster
as Ned Merrill

Janice Rule
as Shirley Abbott

Kim Hunter
as Betty Graham

Joan Rivers
as Joan

Janet Landgard
as Julie Hooper

Tony Bickley
as Donald Westerhazy

Marge Champion
as Peggy Forsburgh

Nancy Cushman
as Mrs. Halloran

Bill Fiore
as Howie Hunsacker

John Garfield Jr.
as Ticket Seller

Rose Gregorio
as Sylvia Finney

Charles Drake
as Howard Graham

Bernie Hamilton
as Chauffeur

House Jameson
as Mr. Halloran

Jimmy Joyce
as Jack Finney

Michael Kearney
as Kevin Gilmartin

Richard McMurray
as Stu Forsburgh

Jan Miner
as Lillian Hunsacker

Diana Muldaur
as Cynthia

David Garfield
as Ticket Seller

Keri Oleson
as Vernon

Cornelia Otis Skinner
as Mrs. Hammar

Dolph Sweet
as Henry Biswanger

Louise Troy
as Grace Biswanger

Diana Van der Vlis
as Helen Westerhazy

Alva Celauro
as Muffie

Lisa Daniels
as Matron at the Biswangers' Pool

John Gerstad
as Guest at the Bunkers' Pool

Marilyn Langner
as Enid Bunker

Ray Mason
as Bunkers' Party Guest

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Critic Reviews for The Swimmer

Audience Reviews for The Swimmer

• Nov 30, 2015

  A buff Burt Lancaster is nearly naked the whole film as a upscale businessman swimming through the pools of his neighbors in a circuitous route home one evening. I wouldn't watch this for years as I took it merely as a Lancaster vanity project, but now I guess I'm old enough to see that that actually plays an important part in the story, his vanity, undercutting what is seen versus what is real. There's a Twilight Zone twist telegraphed throughout, but nonetheless its a cool piece about the difference between who we think we are and who we are in fact.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• May 06, 2014

  Observing that all his neighbors have swimming pools, an indefatigably cheerful man out for a morning jog decides to "swim" his way home; at each stop he talks to a new neighbor, slowly painting a picture of his life. Based on a John Cheever short story, this odd concept works surprisingly well as both a suburban satire and (thanks to an excellent performance by Burt Lancaster) a touching character study of a man who doesn't realize the American dream has passed him by.
  Greg S Super Reviewer
• Nov 15, 2013

  The Swimmer is an extraordinary bit of a cinema that for some reason does not get a lot of airplay. Lancaster is at his best as a person who has conveniently forgotten about his recent past and interacts with those who love and hate him as he swims through suburban pools on his way home. Gripping.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• May 13, 2009

  an offbeat, even absurd suburban drama that sees burt lancaster fighting to preserve his illusions while swimming home through his neighbor's pools. burt is the force that holds this film together. a little dated but also well ahead of it's time
  Stella D Super Reviewer

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