Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Tim Matheson | ... | Roy Basch | |
Charles Haid | ... | Fats (The Fatman) | |
Michael Sacks | ... | Wayne Potts | |
Lisa Pelikan | ... | Jo Miller | |
Bess Armstrong | ... | Cissy Anderson | |
George Coe | ... | Dr. Leggo | |
James Cromwell | ... | Officer Quick | |
Ossie Davis | ... | Dr. Sanders | |
Richard Brestoff | ... | Howie Greenspoon | |
Leo Burmester | ... | Dr. Gath | |
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Kathryn Dowling | ... | Molly |
Charles Fleischer | ... | Hyper Hooper | |
Malachy McCourt | ... | Officer Gillheeny | |
Joe Piscopo | ... | Dr. Fishberg | |
Michael Richards | ... | Dr. Pinkus |
Follow a group of interns in a large teaching hospital. When Jo, Chief Resident, has a breakdown the interns are reluctantly placed under the tutelage of the senior resident known as The Fatman. Like "M*A*S*H," "The Hospital" and "St. Elsewhere" (which is drawn from this story) this film is closer to the truth than the public wants to know. Written by Raymond Clay <banquosa@concentric.net>
United Artists never theatrically released this movie, often claimed because of the hectic going-ons at UA during the time of its completion (the studio was still recovering from HEAVEN'S GATE, the studio had been sold to MGM, and there was new management.) Looking at the completed movie itself, I think UA saw it being simply uncommercial, especially seeing how they also shelved it for several years. I've never read the book, but the movie is a mess. There's no real plot to speak of, the characters are barely sketched out, and things seemingly happen at random. In fact, a lot of scenes have a strong feeling of improvisation. The biggest sin the film makes is that the supposedly humorous moments simply aren't funny - and as you probably know, there's nothing worse than a comedy that isn't funny. Even the talented (and yet-to-be famous) cast can't do anything with the lame material.