The Harrad Experiment (1973)

At Harrad College, where controversial coed living situations are established, the students are forced to confront their sexuality in ways that society previously shunned. Part of the ... See full summary »

Director:

Ted Post

Writers:

Michael Werner (screenplay), Ted Cassidy (screenplay),

Stars:

James Whitmore, Tippi Hedren, Don Johnson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Whitmore	...	Philip Tenhausen
Tippi Hedren	...	Margaret Tenhausen
Don Johnson	...	Stanley Cole
Bruno Kirby	...	Harry Schacht (as B. Kirby Jr.)
Laurie Walters	...	Sheila Grove
Victoria Thompson	...	Beth Hillyer
Elliott Street	...	Wilson
Robert Middleton	...	Sidney Bower
Billy Sands	...	Jack
Sharon Ullrick	...	Barbara (as Sharon Taggart)
Maggie Wellman	...	Cynthia
Michael Greene	...	Yoga Instructor
Ron Kolman	...	Evan
Eric Server	...	Workman
Robert C. Ross	...	Workman

Storyline

At Harrad College, where controversial coed living situations are established, the students are forced to confront their sexuality in ways that society previously shunned. Part of the experiment is to pair incompatible members of the opposite sex as roommates in order to make them shun the traditional concept of monogamy. The film's primary two "couples" are the sex-crazed Stanley and ultra-timid Sheila, and insecure Harry and liberated Beth. In charge of the "experiment" are Prof. Philip Tenhausen and his wife, Margaret, who seem to enjoy the tension they instigate, as well as the graphic sexual episodes that unfold.

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Plot Keywords:

experiment | sex | college | student | sexuality | 

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Taglines:

Harrad College... where free, liberated relations between coed students are encouraged!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

College

Filming Locations:

Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Arts Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 91 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To the chagrin of the producers and the director, the marijuana plants in the picture turned out to be real. The property master denied any culpability, leaving the producer to conclude that one of the actors must have made a last-minute substitute.

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Goofs

The boom mic is visible over Beth and Stanley as they discuss the initial improvisation exercise with the professor.

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Connections

Followed by Harrad Summer (1974)

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Soundtracks

"Go Gently"
Music by Charles Fox
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Sung by Lori Lieberman

User Reviews

A failed attempt to bring a then-classic to the screen

My friends and I read the HARRAD EXPERIMENT by Robert Rimmer as nervous teenagers in the early 70s. The book was a manifesto for sexual awareness and responsibility, a call for a rational development of sexual activity on a cultural basis. Of course at the time, we were just looking for the hot parts....

Anyway, the movie makers were given the thankless task of transforming the book and apparently cound not decide whether to make it a polemic or a soap opera. Worse, the plot they chose betrays the format of the book, where the narrative was shared equally buy two men and two women. The film concentrates on Johnson's character, maligning him and transforming the film into his character's unwilling education in sexual responsibility.

Bruno Kirby doing full frontal nudity? Brrrrr..........