Two for the Seesaw (1962)

Jerry Ryan is wandering aimlessly around New York, having given up his law career in Nebraska when his wife asked for a divorce. He meets up with Gittel Mosca, an impoverished dancer from ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

William Gibson (play), Isobel Lennart (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Shirley MacLaine, Edmon Ryan

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Robert Mitchum	...	Jerry Ryan
Shirley MacLaine	...	Gittel Mosca
Edmon Ryan	...	Frank Taubman
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Sophie
Eddie Firestone	...	Oscar
Billy Gray	...	Mr. Jacoby

Storyline

Jerry Ryan is wandering aimlessly around New York, having given up his law career in Nebraska when his wife asked for a divorce. He meets up with Gittel Mosca, an impoverished dancer from Greenwich Village, and the two try to straighten out their lives together.

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Plot Keywords:

male female relationship | marital separation | greenwich village manhattan new york city | midlife crisis | fear of commitment | 

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Taglines:

a square from Nebraska? an off-beatnik from Greenwich Village? It just didn't figure... that they would... that they could... that they did!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers paid $350,000 for the film rights to the Broadway play. According to an article in the 18 May 1962 edition of the New York Times, the Mirisch Co. bought the rights at the request of Elizabeth Taylor, who wanted to play the lead. But because of her long-term commitment to Cleopatra (1963), she was unavailable.

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Goofs

At c.15 minutes, in the Chinese restaurant, Jerry and Gittel order two bowls of rice but the waiter only brings them one bowl with their meat dish and a dipping sauce.

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Quotes

Gittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz: What have you been doing in New York?
Jerry Ryan: Mostly walking, by day and by night.
Gittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz: Monotonous but healthy.

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Connections

Featured in Robert Mitchum, le mauvais garçon d'Hollywood (2017)

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Soundtracks

Second Chance
Music by André Previn
Lyrics by Dory Previn
Sung by Jackie Cain (uncredited)

User Reviews

Surprisingly Great.

I call this film surprisingly great not because I was shocked that Mitchum or MacLane delivered fine performances, it's surprisingly good because of everything else this film has... in addition to M&M's delicious performances. I had no idea what to expect before watching this, just the way I like it. Because then I get the 5-10 minute rule to takeover -- either I'm hooked or I'm not.

Well it started right away. This thing was shot in B&W anamorphic, and shot beautifully. The opening shots drew me in for their wide angles and good framing and nice dramatic lighting(ie what normal people call a good mood setter)... noirish in some respects. And then it sucked me right in.

Maybe because it started on the stage and the scenes were so long but the dialogue was so well crafted that you just had to pay attention.

Maybe the fantastic real life portrayals by M&M - not straying nor betraying.

But I found myself constantly wanting to talk some sense into Jerry and Gittel -- ah thats what cinema is -- the desire to find out how it ends. And what an ending it is... I'll leave it at that.

I give it a 10 because it maybe is among the very best of this category - the "realistic character dialogue romance featuring two very odd strangers (think Stewart and Novak in Vertigo)". Shot well, acted well... kept me glued to the end. I give it 10 and not 9 because well, without spoiling it -- they didn't go where they could have gone. And I think that most audiences won't understand that final point once they see it. Thats a shame. But those who understand will agree - brilliance all around.

10 from me. And thats saying a HELLUVA lot.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Two for the Seesaw

Filming Locations:

New York Public Library - 476 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Argyle Productions, Seesaw Productions, Talbot Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1