They Might Be Giants (1971)

Director:

Anthony Harvey

Writers:

James Goldman (play)
James Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Mystery | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

When they reach out for each other... they touch every heart... with warmth, charm and laughter!

Plot:

In a Manhattan psychiatric hospital a man, convinced he is Sherlock Holmes, is treated by a female doctor who happens to be named Watson.

Plot Keywords:

Sherlock Holmes | New York City | Psychiatrist | Telephone Operator | Mental Patient

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Justin Playfair
Joanne Woodward	...	Dr. Mildred Watson
Jack Gilford	...	Wilbur Peabody
Lester Rawlins	...	Blevins Playfair
Al Lewis	...	Messenger
Rue McClanahan	...	Daisy Playfair
Ron Weyand	...	Dr. Strauss
Oliver Clark	...	Mr. Small
Theresa Merritt	...	Peggy
Jenny Egan	...	Miss Finch
Jane Hoffman	...	2nd Telephone Operator
Michael McGuire	...	Telephone Guard
Eugene Roche	...	Policeman
James Tolkan	...	Mr. Brown
Kitty Winn	...	Grace
Sudie Bond	...	Maud
Staats Cotsworth	...	Winthrop
F. Murray Abraham	...	Clyde (the usher)
Paul Benedict	...	Chestnut Man
M. Emmet Walsh	...	1st Sanitation Man
Louis Zorich	...	2nd Sanitation Man
Ted Beniades	...	Taxi Driver
Worthington Miner	...	Mr. Bagg
Frances Fuller	...	Mrs. Bagg
Ralph Clanton	...	Supermarket Manager
John McCurry	...	Lieutenant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Candice Azzara	...	Teenage Girl (uncredited)
Tony Capodilupo	...	Chief (uncredited)
Matthew Cowles	...	Teenage Boy (uncredited)
Dorothy Greener	...	Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Jacques Sandulescu	...	Mr. Brown's Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
Anthony Harvey

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
James Goldman		play
James Goldman		screenplay

Produced by
Frank Caffey	....	associate producer
John Foreman	....	producer
Jennings Lang	....	producer
Paul Newman	....	producer

Original Music by
John Barry

Cinematography by
Victor J. Kemper

Film Editing by
Gerald B. Greenberg

Production Design by
John Robert Lloyd

Set Decoration by
Herbert F. Mulligan

Costume Design by
Fern Buchner
Ann Roth

Makeup Department
Vincent Callaghan	....	makeup artist
Romaine Greene	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Morton Gorowitz	....	unit production manager
Jack Grossberg	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Norman I. Cohen	....	assistant director
Louis A. Stroller	....	assistant director

Art Department
Gene Rudolf	....	scenic chargeman (as Eugene Rudolf)

Sound Department
Nathan Boxer	....	sound mixer
Al Nahmias	....	sound editor (as Albert Nahmias)
Sanford Rackow	....	sound editor
Dick Vorisek	....	sound re-recordist

Stunts
M. James Arnett	....	stunt coordinator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joseph G. Aulisi	....	associate costume designer
Marilyn Putnam	....	wardrober

Music Department
John Barry	....	music supervisor
Ken Thorne	....	conductor
Ken Thorne	....	music arranger
Ken Thorne	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Barbara Rittenberg	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1972) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (video)
• MCA Home Video (1987) (USA) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The title is derived from Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote." Quixote tilted at windmills because he was sure they were giants. In this movie, Justin states that Quixote was crazy to be convinced that windmills are giants. But to wonder if "they might be giants" - that's another matter.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Scott and Woodward are riding in a taxi, from his angle the cab is stopped; from her angle the cab is moving.

Quotes:

Maud:God bless ya, Barbara Stanwyck!

Movie Connections:

References The Sheik (1921)

Before there was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...

In 1976, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST(1975) was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, winning 5 in all the major categories. But 5 years earlier, another film tackled mental illness (all be it in a different manner) in it's own unique way. This film was THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS(1971). Now many would argue that Cuckoo's Nest was a superior film, and they would probably be right. They Might Be Giants was shot on a miniscule budget, and was cut down for release by studio exec's. In a further insult, the same studio exec's refused to support the Director's bid for a wide release. It's a shame too, because it featured one of the most overlooked comic performances in film history. George C.Scott plays Justin Playfair, a retired judge who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes. And he does it perfectly. Right down to the subtle gestures and mannerisms. In one of films best scenes, Playfair arrives in a local Mental Institution for an evaluation. A struggle breaks out with the patient before him (a mute, who refuses to reveal even his name) and it's up to Holmes to save the day. And Save the day he does. The Dialogue in this scene is brilliant. Some of the best I've ever heard. And it's all Scott. Not only does he get the man to talk, he guesses his name! The supporting cast is excellent as well. Joanne Woodward is the perfect foil as Dr Watson, Jack Gilford as Wilbur Peabody, and the rest of the New York actors are real, and delightfully eccentric. The end of the film with the "March to find Moriarty" is a classic. Listen to the music in this scene, it's great! So if you liked Cuckoo's nest, check this one out...you won't regret it!!