Tonight's Movie: House Calls (1978) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

HOUSE CALLS (1978), a mid-life romantic comedy featuring the unexpected pairing of Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson, is being released this week on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

This was my first time to see this film, in which Matthau plays Dr. Charley Nichols, a recently widowed doctor who is now determined to "play the field" for the first time in his life.

Charley briefly does just that, dating a variety of younger women, yet time and again he finds himself drawn to Ann (Glenda Jackson), a smart divorcee closer to his own age. Ann's teenage son, incidentally, is played by Matthau's real-life son, Charlie.

Charley initially thinks of Ann as a friend with whom he has common reference points -- and she makes amazing cheesecakes! -- but the relationship quickly, if tentatively, progresses towards romance. Charley must decide if he's ready for commitment again, while Ann, burned by an unfaithful ex-husband, must consider whether she's ready to trust Charley.

I found this movie a very nice discovery; it's a well-done, entertaining 98 minutes. While I could have done without a few bits of crass humor -- the film is rated PG -- on the whole the movie was sharply written and played.

The script was by Charles Shyer (BABY BOOM), Alan Mandel, Julius J. Epstein (CASABLANCA), and Max Shulman from a story by Shulman and Epstein. Happily too many cooks didn't spoil the proverbial broth; the screenplay is quite funny, sustaining the humor from start to finish.

The prospect of a senile hospital chief of staff (Art Carney) should be alarming, but here it's the cause of numerous (somewhat guilty) chuckles; that man should have been nowhere near a hospital!

I especially loved the deadpan reactions of Richard Benjamin as Charley's doctor friend; their repartee is delightful, and Benjamin is also quite funny dealing with the aforementioned chief of staff.

Matthau and Jackson are likeable, real, and relatable; in fact, Jackson strongly reminded me of an old family friend. Their teaming was so successful that a couple years later they costarred again, in the suspense film HOPSCOTCH (1980); HOPSCOTCH is available from the Criterion Collection, and I hope to watch it soon.

The film could have gained a bit more depth by exploring Charley and Ann's backgrounds, especially his feelings about his wife's (very) recent passing; that said, as with the chief of staff storyline, the decision was made not to take things seriously, and what did make it onscreen is very enjoyable.

There are many familiar faces in the cast, including Brad Dexter, Lloyd Gough, Candice Azzara, Gordon Jump, Thayer David, Dick O'Neill, and Taurean Blacque.

The movie was directed by Howard Zieff and filmed by David M. Walsh, with a score by Henry Mancini.

The Blu-ray print is quite good, with the color tones and style reminding me of other films of the era such as THE GOODBYE GIRL (1977). Sound quality is excellent.

Extras consist of the trailer; a gallery of seven additional trailers; and a commentary track by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry.

I liked this one a lot and will happily revisit it in the future.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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