First Monday in October (1981)

For the first time in history a woman is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where she becomes a friendly rival to a liberal associate.

Director:

Ronald Neame

Writers:

Jerome Lawrence (play), Jerome Lawrence (screenplay)

Stars:

Walter Matthau, Jill Clayburgh, Barnard Hughes

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau	...	Dan Snow
Jill Clayburgh	...	Ruth Loomis
Barnard Hughes	...	Chief Justice James Jefferson Crawford
Jan Sterling	...	Christine Snow
James Stephens	...	Mason Woods
Joshua Bryant	...	Bill Russell
Wiley Harker	...	Justice Harold Webb
F.J. O'Neil	...	Justice Waldo Thompson
Charles Lampkin	...	Justice Josiah Clewes
Lew Palter	...	Justice Benjamin Halperin
Richard McMurray	...	Justice Richard Carey
Herb Vigran	...	Justice Ambrose Quincy
Edmund Stoiber	...	Committee Chairman
Noble Willingham	...	Nebraska Attorney
Richard McKenzie	...	Hostile Senator

Storyline

Ruth Loomis becomes the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. A staunch conservative, she immediately runs into conflict with Dan Snow, the high court's resident liberal. Although they never agree on the issues before the Court, they develop a respect and affection for each other after several comedic encounters.

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Plot Keywords:

into | supreme court | cross examination | legal appeal | appeal to the supreme court | 

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Taglines:

In the Supreme Court, there are only eight of them against all of her.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Paul M. Heller acquired scenes from a real pornographic movie to double for the adult film documentary, of which scenes are shown in the film, which is the subject of legal debate and a Supreme Court law suit in the picture. Heller liaised with famed porno producer David F. Friedman of the Adult Film Association. The shots were edited down so as to be not too explicit for a mainstream movie which initially was intended to be rated PG.

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Goofs

Justice Loomis views a pornographic film to decide it it has "redeeming social or artistic importance". This is an outdated standard for obscenity which was superseded by the so-called "Miller test" in 1973.

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Quotes

Justice Dan Snow: [Justice Snow being asked his opinion on the selection of the next Supreme Court Judge] I never try to second guess a President. A man moves into the White House no one knows what happens to his mind. Only hope they have an active member card of the human race.

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Connections

Featured in Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen: Forward Into the Past (1996)

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Soundtracks

Night Drive
(uncredited)
Written by Giorgio Moroder

User Reviews

Better than it's been rated.

Walter Mathau left many wonderful performances for us to enjoy, and here is another one of them. In what could be a rehearsal for GRUMPY OLD MEN, it's great to see how he and Jill Clayburgh bounce off each other. Their characters are so different and opposite, yet they're like two pillars holding up the roof of the system. I find it difficult to fault this movie, It's enjoyable from start to finish.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

...Kinek a bírónő

Filming Locations:

June Lake, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$12,480,249

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,480,249

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1