The Group (1966)

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

Mary McCarthy (novel)
Sidney Buchman (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 March 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

It's 1933, and eight young women are friends and members of the upper- class group at a private girl's school...

Plot Keywords:

Breast Feeding | Lesbian Interest | Pregnancy | Female Bonding | Miscarriage

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Candice Bergen	...	Lakey
Joan Hackett	...	Dottie
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Priss
Shirley Knight	...	Polly
Joanna Pettet	...	Kay
Mary-Robin Redd	...	Pokey
Jessica Walter	...	Libby
Kathleen Widdoes	...	Helena
James Broderick	...	Dr. Ridgeley
James Congdon	...	Sloan Crockett
Larry Hagman	...	Harald Peterson
Hal Holbrook	...	Gus Leroy
Richard Mulligan	...	Dick Brown
Robert Emhardt	...	Mr. Andrews
Carrie Nye	...	Norine
Philippa Bevans	...	Mrs. Hartshorn
Leta Bonynge	...	Mrs. Prothero
Marion Brash	...	Radio Man's Wife
Sarah Burton	...	Mrs. Davison
Flora Campbell	...	Mrs. MacAusland
Bruno Di Cosmi	...	Nils
Leora Dana	...	Mrs. Renfrew
Bill Fletcher	...	Bill, the Actor
George Gaynes	...	Brook Latham
Martha Greenhouse	...	Mrs. Bergler
Russell Hardie	...	Mr. Davison
Vince Harding	...	Mr. Eastlake
Doreen Lang	...	Nurse Swenson
Chet London	...	Radio Man
Baruch Lumet	...	Mr. Schneider
John O'Leary	...	Put Blake
Hildy Parks	...	Nurse Catherine
Lidia Prochnicka	...	The Baroness
Polly Rowles	...	Mrs. Andrews
Douglas Rutherford	...	Mr. Prothero
Truman Smith	...	Mr. Bergler
Loretta White	...	Mrs. Eastlake
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Anderson	...	Pokey's Husband (uncredited)
Peter Boyle	...	(uncredited)
Ron Charles	...	Dr. Jones (uncredited)
Richard Graham	...	Rev. Garland (uncredited)
Edward Holmes	...	Mr. MacAusland (uncredited)

Directed by
Sidney Lumet

Writing credits
Mary McCarthy		(novel)
Sidney Buchman		(screenplay)

Produced by
Sidney Buchman	....	producer
Charles K. Feldman	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Boris Kaufman		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ralph Rosenblum

Casting by
Jessica Levy

Production Design by
Gene Callahan

Set Decoration by
Jack Wright Jr.
Marvin March		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Anna Hill Johnstone

Makeup Department
Irving Buchman	....	makeup artist
Frederic Jones	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Mel Howard	....	unit production manager
Henry Spitz	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tony Belletier	....	assistant director
Dan Eriksen	....	assistant director

Art Department
Willis Conner	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Jack Fitzstephens	....	sound editor
Alan Heim	....	sound editor (as Allan Heim)
Dennis Maitland	....	sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Howard Fortune	....	lighting (as Buddy Fortune)
Edward Knott	....	set grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
George Newman	....	wardrobe
Flo Transfield	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Sheila Bakerman	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Robert De Cormier	....	conductor
Charles Gross	....	music supervisor
Frank Kulaga	....	music recordist (uncredited)

Other crew
Charles K. Feldman	....	presenter
Fred T. Gallo	....	production assistant (as Fred Gallo)
Belle Iacobellis	....	production secretary
Maggie James	....	script supervisor
Frank Simpson	....	production assistant
Louis A. Stroller	....	production assistant (as Lou Stroller)

Production Companies

• Famartists Productions S.A.

Distributors

• United Artists (1966) (USA) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1971) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Runtime:

USA:150 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Famartists Productions S.A.

Trivia:

Joan Hackett's film debut.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In one shot the Pan Am building is clearly visible in the background even though it was not yet built in 1933.

Quotes:

Libby: I'm appalled by all this vulgar breeding.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 1 (1999) (TV)

Juicy, glitzy, melodramatic, weirdly involving.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable reworking of Mary McCarthy's book...while certain portions of the story & dialog are toned down from the frank & sexual novel, the gist remains intact. The story of a group of protected collegiate girls during the Depression being plunged into real life...marriage, affairs, career paths, utter meltdown. It's got a definite soap-opera feel & the performances get a bit cartoony here & there, but this movie is a JOY. Just enjoy it for what it is...a couple (plus) hours of fun & involving storytelling, great performances, great clothes, & goofy upper-crust female bonding.