The Killing of Sister George (1968)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Lukas Heller (writer)
Frank Marcus (play)

Release Date:

12 December 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The story of three consenting adults in the privacy of their own home.

Plot:

George lives with her lover, Childie and plays a cheerful district nurse in a BBC soap opera. However...

Plot Keywords:

Soap Opera | Lesbian | Dolls | Actress | Female Nudity

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Beryl Reid	...	June 'George' Buckridge
Susannah York	...	Alice 'Childie' McNaught
Coral Browne	...	Mercy Croft
Ronald Fraser	...	Leo Lockhart
Patricia Medina	...	Betty Thaxter
Hugh Paddick	...	Freddie
Cyril Delevanti	...	Ted Baker
Sivi Aberg	...	Diana
William Beckley	...	Floor Manager
Elaine Church	...	Marelen
Brendan Dillon	...	Bert Turner
Mike Freeman	...	Noel
Maggie Paige	...	Maid
Jack Raine	...	Deputy Commissioner
Dolly Taylor	...	Tea Lady
Meier Tzelniker	...	Mr. Katz
Cicely Walper	...	Mrs. Coote
Byron Webster	...	Jack Adams
Rosalie Williams	...	Mildred
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gina Evans	...	Club Owner (uncredited)
Joe Gray	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Nigel Kingsley	...	Extra (uncredited)
Sam Kydd	...	Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Derek Partridge	...	Personal Manager (uncredited)
James Payne	...	Man in Traffic Jam (uncredited)
Velvet Rhodes	...	Lesbian (uncredited)
Madeline Smith	...	Nun (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Aldrich

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Lukas Heller		writer
Frank Marcus		play "The Killing of Sister George"

Produced by
Robert Aldrich	....	producer
Walter Blake	....	associate producer
Edgar J. Scherick	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Gerald Fried

Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc

Film Editing by
Michael Luciano

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Art Direction by
William Glasgow

Set Decoration by
John Brown

Costume Design by
Renié

Makeup Department
Jean Austin	....	hair stylist
William Turner	....	makeup artist (as Bill Turner)

Production Management
David Bennett	....	production manager
Eddie Saeta	....	unit manager
George Tobin	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daisy Gerber	....	assistant director
Dennis Robertson	....	first assistant director: London

Art Department
Jack Holden	....	assistant art director
Ygnacio Sepulveda	....	property master

Sound Department
Richard S. Church	....	sound mixer (as Dick Church)
Robin Gregory	....	sound mixer: London

Camera and Electrical Department
Bernie Abramson	....	still photographer
Wally Fairweather	....	camera operator: London
Laurie Shane	....	gaffer
Herbert Smith	....	camera operator: London (as Herbie Smith)
Brian West	....	lighting camera operator: London
Keith Blake	....	clapper loader (uncredited)
Gary Boren	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
William N. Clark	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Ned Davenport	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Bill Hannah	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Joe Jackman	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marie Osborne	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Frank J. Urioste	....	assistant film editor (uncredited)

Other crew
Adell Aldrich	....	script supervisor (as Adele Bravos)
William Aldrich	....	assistant to producer
Robert Sherman	....	dialogue supervisor

Production Companies

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• Associates & Aldrich Company, The
• Palomar Pictures (I)

Distributors

• Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1968) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinerama Releasing UK (1968) (UK) (theatrical)
• Video Gems (1986) (UK) (VHS)
• Braveworld (1992) (UK) (VHS)
• Total Home Entertainment (1996) (UK) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Pearson Television International (2001) (UK) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox (1971) (France) (theatrical)
• Cinerama Filmgesellschaft MBH (1969) (West Germany) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Lee Lighting  lighting

Also Known As:

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:14A (Manitoba) (2005) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:R | West Germany:18 (f) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:X | USA:R (re-rating) (1972) | USA:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

Beryl Reid won the 1967 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actress in a Drama for "The Killing of Sister George".

Quotes:

Betty Thaxter:What's one looking for then, love and affection?
George:I suppose you could put it like that, yes.
Betty Thaxter:Oh. I think I need a drink now.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: Episode #3.4" (1969)

Underrated 1960's British black comedy. A must-see

Anyone who likes gritty, clever, slightly comical drama should see this one. The plot is simple enough - an alcoholic gay actress worried about her future in a top Coronation Street-style soap opera - but the way the film is put together is pithy without being too complex - the characterisations are brilliantly satirical, showing up the worst side of the soap opera industry and its catty, backstabbing nature. You don't find yourself feeling sorry for anyone at the end of it apart from perhaps Susannah York. Lots of London-in-the-1960s location filming and familiar faces - I'm only surprised that John Le Mesurier doesn't appear in it. In a word - absorbing. Why don't they make them like this anymore?