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IMDbPro

For the Use of the Hall

  • TV Movie
  • 1975
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
17
YOUR RATING
For the Use of the Hall (1975)
Comedy

A penniless heiress, a disillusioned nun, the suicidal playwright they both love, a hapless art forger and the playwright's wife converge on the empty Long Island home of an aging matriarch ... Read allA penniless heiress, a disillusioned nun, the suicidal playwright they both love, a hapless art forger and the playwright's wife converge on the empty Long Island home of an aging matriarch and squabble among themselves about their relative success or failure.A penniless heiress, a disillusioned nun, the suicidal playwright they both love, a hapless art forger and the playwright's wife converge on the empty Long Island home of an aging matriarch and squabble among themselves about their relative success or failure.

  • Director
    • Lee Grant
  • Writer
    • Oliver Hailey
  • Stars
    • Susan Anspach
    • Barbara Barrie
    • George Furth
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    17
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee Grant
    • Writer
      • Oliver Hailey
    • Stars
      • Susan Anspach
      • Barbara Barrie
      • George Furth
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    For the Use of the Hall (1975)
    For the Use of the Hall (1975)
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    Top cast

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    Susan Anspach
    Susan Anspach
    • Terry
    Barbara Barrie
    Barbara Barrie
    • Charlotte
    George Furth
    George Furth
    • Martin
    David Hedison
    David Hedison
    • Allen
    Aline MacMahon
    Aline MacMahon
    • Bess
    Joyce Van Patten
    Joyce Van Patten
    • Alice
    • Director
      • Lee Grant
    • Writer
      • Oliver Hailey
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Final film of actress Aline MacMahon.

    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Funny and touching commentary on failure and success
    "What is a wasted life?" is the question that the wonderful Aline MacMahon asks as the narrator in this absorbing and amusing taped stage play. Taking place over the course of two days following the disastrous production of playwright Martin's fourth play, the story revolves around the shifting relationships between Martin's first and second wife, his first wife's new husband Allen, and Martin's sister Terry, a lapsed nun. Charlotte, the first wife, a now-penniless socialite and Allen, a failed forger of famous painters, survive by stealing groceries from neighbor's porches. When Martin's new play folds in the middle of the first act he retreats to his mother's (Aline MacMahon's) summer home on Long Island where Charlotte and Allen have taken up residence, unknown to the family. Comedic conflicts immediately arise when Martin, who has a habit of fainting at any moment of stress, arrives in the middle of the night with his second wife Alice, a successful writer of children's books. While Martin, Charlotte, Allen and Terry could all be classified as failures to some extent, the meaning of the play (and of the title) can be encapsulated in a rave review of Martin's failed play - which he delivers before fainting on realization that he only dreamed it. The critic's comment, that no matter whether a play was good or bad he was just grateful for the use of the hall, applies to the state of life itself. In other words, it may not be perfect but it's better than nothing. The gloriously classy Aline MacMahon, who even at an advanced age makes one aware of just how beautiful she was in younger days, provides commentary on the past, the future and the ultimate demise of the play's characters, all of whom she outlives. This is a funny and touching filmed stage play that provides a charming tribute to a talented writer. Intelligently directed by Lee Grant, kudos to Broadway Theater Archives for making a record of this production.
    helpful•6
    0
    • manxman-1
    • Mar 5, 2008

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 2, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hollywood Television Theater: For the Use of the Hall
    • Production companies
      • Hollywood Television Theatre
      • KCET
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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