Wedding in White (1972)

A father will do anything to protect his family's reputation when his unmarried teenage daughter becomes pregnant because she was raped by her brother's friend.

Director:

William Fruet

Writers:

William Fruet (play), William Fruet (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Carol Kane, Doris Petrie

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Jim Dougall, Sr.
Carol Kane	...	Jeannie Dougall
Doris Petrie	...	Mary Dougall
Leo Phillips	...	Sandy
Paul Bradley	...	Jimmie Dougall
Doug McGrath	...	Billy
Christine Thomas	...	Sarah McCarver
Bonnie Carol Case	...	Dolly
Linda Houston
David Hughes
Stan Ross
David Gustafson
Colin Shaw
Gerald Crack	...	(as Jerry Crack)
Charles Hayter

Storyline

It's the early 1940s in small town Ontario. Sixteen year old Jeannie Dougall is slightly dim, naive and lacks any self-confidence, immersing herself in the romantic lives of characters she sees on the movie screen as witnessed by the pictures she has plastered on her bedroom wall. Anything that Jeannie tries that is new or different is usually a result of being egged on by her more experienced best friend, Dolly, who flaunts her burgeoning sexuality. Jeannie lives with her working class parents, Jim and Mary Dougall, Scottish immigrants who live by their conservative and religious beliefs. Jim is a member of the Honor Guard, and has a view that anyone who wears a uniform in service to the country, such as his and Mary's son Jimmie Dougall, is to be admired regardless. Jimmie's non-battle service in Canada is in munitions requisitions. One day, Jeannie announces to her mother that she believes she's pregnant from what was her only sexual encounter to date: being raped by Jimmie's ...

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Plot Keywords:

crying | awakening | lying on a bed | man wears eyeglasses | army | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

User Reviews

Almost authentic

At first I thought that this was another dumb Canadian film financed by my tax money. Then it occurred to me that there was quite a bit in this film that was realistic and hard hitting. Anyone born after the 1960's won't appreciate that the negative attitude of everyone to a girl getting pregnant out of wedlock portrayed in this movie was the norm in Canada during the war and into the 50's. Nobody's being hypocritical. That's the way it was.

The old men and misfits who were pressed into Canada's "Zombie Army" to guard prisoners is also authentic.

The movie is quite authentic in its portrayal of a crummy town in the Maritimes. No, it's not Ontario. The accents are all Maritime except for Ms. Kane and Ms. Case, who are too American to fit the scenery. That's not to disparage their acting which is perfect for the characters they portray. Donald Pleasance does not exaggerate his accent. That's how people talk "down east".

Where the movie goes astray is in the economy of the wartime years. There is reference to food shortages but there seems to be no shortage of Scotch and beer. Also, the store that Jeannie robs looks exactly like a Woolworth's store of the era except that the shelves are brimming with things to sell. That was not the case. Finally, Sandy doesn't seem to have any problem getting tires (unobtainable) and gasoline (rationed) during the war years.

Give this movie more than 10 minutes of attention if it comes on late night TV in your area.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1972 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Wedding in White

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD275,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinépix Film Properties (CFP), Dermet

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1