Two for the Seesaw

1962

Two for the Seesaw

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Two for the Seesaw Photos

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Movie Info

Based on the two-character play by William Gibson, Two for the Seesaw was unnecessarily expanded for the film version. Robert Mitchum plays an Omaha businessman, newly arrived in New York. Though unhappily married, Mitchum is averse to asking for a divorce. This state of affairs gets dicey when Mitchum falls in love with Bronx-born professional dancer Shirley MacLaine. Once he does get a divorce, Mitchum, nervous about making any new commitments, fails to tell MacLaine. Though they remain fond of one another, Mitchum and MacLaine finally realize that any future relationship will do more harm than good for both of them. The original Broadway production of Two for the Seesaw starred Henry Fonda and Anne Bancroft; by the time the film was made, Fonda was feuding with playwright Gibson and Bancroft was filming The Miracle Worker, so Mitchum and MacLaine were substituted. She is ideally suited to her role, but he seems ill at ease playing an indecisive jerk. Two for the Seesaw is at its best when concentrating on the minimalist text of the original play; the inclusion of secondary characters and location photography adds little to the project.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed By:

Robert Wise
Written By:

Isobel Lennart, William Gibson
In Theaters:

Nov 24, 1962 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Nov 1, 1992
Runtime:

119 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

Cast

Robert Mitchum
as Jerry Ryan

Shirley MacLaine
as Gittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz

Edmond Ryan
as Frank Taubman

Edmon Ryan
as Taubman

Elisabeth Fraser
as Sophie

Eddie Firestone
as Oscar

Billy Gray
as Mr. Jacoby

Vic Lundin
as Beat Singer

Shirley Cytron
as (uncredited)

Cia Dave
as (uncredited)

Virginia Whitmore
as (uncredited)

Colin Campbell
as (uncredited)

Mike Enserro
as (uncredited)

Moira Turner
as (uncredited)

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Critic Reviews for Two for the Seesaw

All Critics (7) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (4)

Robert Wise^s rather heavy direction... is at its most laboured in a badly caricatured beatnik party sequence opening the film.

March 17, 2020 | Full Review…

Brenda Davies
Sight and Sound
The screen edition has sensibly expanded the locale and augmented the roster of characters, but neither Robert Mitchum nor Shirley MacLainc can be wholly accepted in the central roles.

October 7, 2019 | Full Review…

Clyde Gilmour
Maclean's Magazine
Two for the Seesaw is, quite frankly, one for the cinematic dustbin.

December 26, 2009 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central
OK drama featuring Mitchum and MacLaine, who work somewhat oddly well together.

March 14, 2009 | Rating: 3/5

Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com
Stage-bound and too talky.

January 16, 2007 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Quote not available.

October 7, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Michael Szymanski
International Press Academy
Quote not available.

June 27, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Two for the Seesaw

Apr 04, 2015

mitchum & maclaine, as always, on form. The script, although good, could have been better. Don't watch for laughs!

Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
Nov 18, 2010

Strong performances from the leads, although Shirley's accent is reminiscent of Anne Bancroft who originated the role on Broadway and might have seemed more at home in the part. Well directed by Wise but if interpersonal dramas aren't your thing-steer clear of this.

jay n Super Reviewer