The Sister-in-Law (1974)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writer:

Joseph Ruben (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

She Helped Her Husband Destroy His Brother By The Most Immoral Act Imaginable

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

John Savage	...	Robert Strong
Will MacMillan	...	Edward Strong (as W.E. MacMillan)
Anne Saxon	...	Joanna Strong
Meridith Baer	...	Deborah Holt
Frank Scioscia	...	Benjo
Jon Oppenheim	...	Fat Man
Tom Mahoney	...	Thin Man
Jan DeCarlo	...	Mrs. Strong
Jack Cooper	...	Mr. Strong
Larry Powers	...	Hood
Gillian Gordon	...	Lena
Michael Ruben	...	John Strong
Ray Valente	...	Messenger
Robert Baines	...	Literary Agent
Bruce G. Sparks	...	Producer #1

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

JFK International Airport, Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Movie Connections:

Featured in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 8 (2002) (V)

Good Brother in Bad Situation

Robert (Savage) comes home from a long trip to find things quite different between his brother Edward (McMillan) and sister-in-law Joanna (Saxon). Edward admits to Robert that he's taken a mistress named Deborah (Baer), but he hasn't totally abandoned his wife either and proves this by bringing Deborah to the house when Joanna is home. At first, both ladies are cordial to one another and actually appear friendly. Later, the two start a cat fight and push each other into the pool - all while Edward and Robert are watching from the window. Eventually, both Joanna and Deborah fall for Robert's boyish charm and humor and he develops relationships with both of them - behind Edward's back. In time, Edward tells Robert he is in a jam and asks if he would go and pick up a package for him in Canada since he can't do it himself. Robert obliges, but unwillingly. As an extra incentive, Edward sends Deborah along for the ride to make the job more "appealing". After Robert gets the package, he opens it and realizes he's now involved in something he never wanted part of. But, this was all part of Edward's plan in the first place and now he has left his little brother to take the fall for him in the surprising ending.

This movie is entertaining, but not really a zinger. The only performance I enjoyed was John Savage's as he was clearly the star of this picture. Matter of fact, of the four lead actors, he is the only one who went on to achieve major fame in the industry. Now I understand why Savage received accolades for his singing and composing of the songs in this picture -- they are really great. I knew he was a singer from his Broadway days and his role in the movie "Hair", but I had to rewind this video at least twice because the final two songs were sung so well that I couldn't believe it was him. If you are a John Savage fan, try to rent this one - at least to hear his great musical compositions.