list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Hospital on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Hospital/15940/default.aspx Title: The Hospital
Year: 1971
Director: Arthur Hiller
Plot: Directed by Arthur Hiller from the second of three Academy Award-winning screenplays by Paddy Chayefsky, The Hospital is a black comedy centering on Dr. Herbert Bock (George C. Scott), a bitter, suicidal surgeon. While patients at the hospital die left and right due to the extreme carelessness and ineptness of the staff that surrounds him, the lonely Bock finds himself falling for Barbara (Diana Rigg), the daughter of Edmund (Barnard Hughes), a patient. Meanwhile, a mysterious killer has begun stalking the hospital, taking out the patients who don't die from poor treatment first. In addition to Chayefsky's Oscar win, The Hospital garnered a Best Actor nomination for Scott, who lost to Gene Hackman for The French Connection. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 3
Number of Lists: 3
Number of blog posts: 1
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:01:07 GMTThe Hospital1971Arthur HillerDirected by <a href="/players/P____94401/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Arthur Hiller</a> from the second of three Academy Award-winning screenplays by <a href="/players/P____84786/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Paddy Chayefsky</a>, The Hospital is a black comedy centering on Dr. Herbert Bock (George C. Scott), a bitter, suicidal surgeon. While patients at the hospital die left and right due to the extreme carelessness and ineptness of the staff that surrounds him, the lonely Bock finds himself falling for Barbara (<a href="/players/P____60244/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Diana Rigg</a>), the daughter of Edmund (<a href="/players/P____33792/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Barnard Hughes</a>), a patient. Meanwhile, a mysterious killer has begun stalking the hospital, taking out the patients who don't die from poor treatment first. In addition to Chayefsky's Oscar win, The Hospital garnered a Best Actor nomination for Scott, who lost to <a href="/players/P____29486/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Gene Hackman</a> for <a href=/films/12549/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>The French Connection</a>. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide3Slightly Tagged (1-5)3143http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t32360a42pj.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Hospital/15940/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/39583/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: flair
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 1/16/2009 12:47:15 AM
Body: [quote user="pippin06"] [/quote] It's fun to read over threads sometimes. Geez, I talk a lot. Anyway, flair, your disdain for Scorsese aside (because I was generally feeling non-love for the oh so insane one, but correct me if I'm wrong), I liked this choice (Closer). I know a lot of people who like this movie, and I just could not get into it, for the same reasons (though, I doubt I put them so eloquently). And I've never heard of The Hospital. Not that I'm any benchmark, but has anyone else heard of it (save for Rizzo) and thinks it's overrated? I think if something is going to be overrated, it has to be, you know, not obscure, so I'm trying to find out if it's really that obscure or not. [/quote] and Risselada wrote: After watching Network recently and watching all of the DVD features I learned about Paddy Chayefsky and The Hospital was mentioned a few times. I'm wondering if you share similar sentiments about the Network script. Taking these in sequence: 1) Yes, Pippin, I was prescient enough not to expect a Christmas card from the Scorsese family, which cushioned my disappointment. I very much enjoyed Taxi Driver, particularly the acting. I didn't anticipate he would go on to make the same movie over and over. George C. Scott missed many of his calls for The Hospital, because his process at the time consisted of going on a bender, taking two days off for a little acting, then resuming the bender. Despite this, he was nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA and, not that it counts, Golden Globe. Paddy Chayefsky's script won all three, over Klute, proving once again that when humans get involved, there's no justice. (Or is that a line from Closer? I too have a friend who raves about that movie; the human mind is a mysterious organ.) Of course, if you conclude that this movie is now too obscure to be overrated, so much the better. 2) Risselada, you may be trying to goad me into launching a batty uncle theme page, but I have a soft spot in my head for Network, which was the essentially the end of a process that began with the rough draft version, i.e., The Hospital. To my mind, the principal difference is that Howard Beale comes across as a decent man, confused about where the culture is going and where he's ended up, but not a smug bully, contagious with white elitist bile, like Dr. Herbert Bock. Part of that's due to Peter Finch and Sidney Lumet, a committed star and better director, but Chayefsky also deserves credit for developing his characters and concepts. That doesn't save Faye Dunaway from serving as the same piñata for misogyny that Diana Rigg played in The Hospital. (Beatrice Straight's Oscar was a sort of joke; her part is tiny but in this context it's so unexpected to hear a woman given dialogue that rings true, it seems like a revelation.) But even Dunaway illustrates another important difference between the two movies. In the main, Network's supporting actors are much more on their game and in tune with their characters, and endeavour to make them something other than stereotypes. Even in the 1970s, the decline of American television news, and much of American journalism, already was a truism. The credit Chayefsky now gets for being ahead of his time instead of merely reflecting it is a bit anachronistic. (Although things have gotten marginally worse. Lara Logan's recent comment that she'd blow her brains out if she had to make do with American news demonstrates that even a home-wrecking, South African ex-model has a firmer grasp on reality than, just for example, Sean Hannity.) But I digress. What Paddy does deserve top marks for is his excellent job of absorbing the zeitgeist. This script put many people's fears and criticisms into pointed sloganeering. Finch took it from there. Although Beale's speeches go on as long or longer than Dr. Bock's, they come across as delirious social commentary, over-the-top truth-telling, not just personal gripes. On the other hand, who would have guessed that Ken Russell would turn out to be the best interpreter of late-career Chayefsky?
]]>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:47:15 GMTflairTop 51/16/2009 12:47:15 AM[quote user="pippin06"] [/quote] It's fun to read over threads sometimes. Geez, I talk a lot. Anyway, flair, your disdain for Scorsese aside (because I was generally feeling non-love for the oh so insane one, but correct me if I'm wrong), I liked this choice (Closer). I know a lot of people who like this movie, and I just could not get into it, for the same reasons (though, I doubt I put them so eloquently). And I've never heard of The Hospital. Not that I'm any benchmark, but has anyone else heard of it (save for Rizzo) and thinks it's overrated? I think if something is going to be overrated, it has to be, you know, not obscure, so I'm trying to find out if it's really that obscure or not. [/quote] and Risselada wrote: After watching Network recently and watching all of the DVD features I learned about Paddy Chayefsky and The Hospital was mentioned a few times. I'm wondering if you share similar sentiments about the Network script. Taking these in sequence: 1) Yes, Pippin, I was prescient enough not to expect a Christmas card from the Scorsese family, which cushioned my disappointment. I very much enjoyed Taxi Driver, particularly the acting. I didn't anticipate he would go on to make the same movie over and over. George C. Scott missed many of his calls for The Hospital, because his process at the time consisted of going on a bender, taking two days off for a little acting, then resuming the bender. Despite this, he was nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA and, not that it counts, Golden Globe. Paddy Chayefsky's script won all three, over Klute, proving once again that when humans get involved, there's no justice. (Or is that a line from Closer? I too have a friend who raves about that movie; the human mind is a mysterious organ.) Of course, if you conclude that this movie is now too obscure to be overrated, so much the better. 2) Risselada, you may be trying to goad me into launching a batty uncle theme page, but I have a soft spot in my head for Network, which was the essentially the end of a process that began with the rough draft version, i.e., The Hospital. To my mind, the principal difference is that Howard Beale comes across as a decent man, confused about where the culture is going and where he's ended up, but not a smug bully, contagious with white elitist bile, like Dr. Herbert Bock. Part of that's due to Peter Finch and Sidney Lumet, a committed star and better director, but Chayefsky also deserves credit for developing his characters and concepts. That doesn't save Faye Dunaway from serving as the same pi&ntilde;ata for misogyny that Diana Rigg played in The Hospital. (Beatrice Straight's Oscar was a sort of joke; her part is tiny but in this context it's so unexpected to hear a woman given dialogue that rings true, it seems like a revelation.) But even Dunaway illustrates another important difference between the two movies. In the main, Network's supporting actors are much more on their game and in tune with their characters, and endeavour to make them something other than stereotypes. Even in the 1970s, the decline of American television news, and much of American journalism, already was a truism. The credit Chayefsky now gets for being ahead of his time instead of merely reflecting it is a bit anachronistic. (Although things have gotten marginally worse. Lara Logan's recent comment that she'd blow her brains out if she had to make do with American news demonstrates that even a home-wrecking, South African ex-model has a firmer grasp on reality than, just for example, Sean Hannity.) But I digress. What Paddy does deserve top marks for is his excellent job of absorbing the zeitgeist. This script put many people's fears and criticisms into pointed sloganeering. Finch took it from there. Although Beale's speeches go on as long or longer than Dr. Bock's, they come across as delirious social commentary, over-the-top truth-telling, not just personal gripes. On the other hand, who would have guessed that Ken Russell would turn out to be the best interpreter of late-career Chayefsky? http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/39564/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 1/15/2009 2:01:45 PM
Body: [quote user="flair"] 3) The Hospital (1971) I'm not sure this movie is still well-known enough to be truly overrated, but at the time this shrill, misogynistic, self-satisfied and self-defeating satire actually attracted some good notices. The combination of bombastic screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, pedestrian director Arthur Hiller and george C. Scott in real social realist mode as the bitter alcoholic he was born to be, er, play, trample whatever green shoots of antic comedy that attempt to poke up their heads. Diana Rigg, an actress I usually like, gives the worst performance of her career simply by playing her ludicrous character, The Girl, straight.[/quote] After watching Network recently and watching all of the DVD features I learned about Paddy Chayefsky and The Hospital was mentioned a few times. I'm wondering if you share similar sentiments about the Network script.
]]>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:01:45 GMTRisseladaTop 51/15/2009 2:01:45 PM[quote user="flair"] 3) The Hospital (1971) I'm not sure this movie is still well-known enough to be truly overrated, but at the time this shrill, misogynistic, self-satisfied and self-defeating satire actually attracted some good notices. The combination of bombastic screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, pedestrian director Arthur Hiller and george C. Scott in real social realist mode as the bitter alcoholic he was born to be, er, play, trample whatever green shoots of antic comedy that attempt to poke up their heads. Diana Rigg, an actress I usually like, gives the worst performance of her career simply by playing her ludicrous character, The Girl, straight.[/quote] After watching Network recently and watching all of the DVD features I learned about Paddy Chayefsky and The Hospital was mentioned a few times. I'm wondering if you share similar sentiments about the Network script. http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/39484/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: flair
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 1/13/2009 6:35:16 PM
Body: 1) Gangs of New York (2002) As Pippin points out, in the land of overrated Scorsese, there are plenty of choices. But this represents the apogee: a meticulously researched, carefully staged, beautifully filmed, soulless, empty-headed, costume drama variation on all his other celebrations of violence. No matter how compelling the characters and intriguing their stories, Scorsese always manages to miss their heart. That's forgivable in rubbish like "Goodfellas" or a cartoon like "The Departed," where we know he's just filling time between spasms of bloodshed. But consider the resources that went into recreating this vanished world, only for Marty to once again fail at Storytelling 101. In an earlier era, Scorsese would be the batty uncle in the attic. Today, he's an award-winning director. Who says there's been no progress in the treatment of the mentally ill? 2) In the Bedroom (2001) Anyone who has ever lost a family member through crime, and struggled through the resulting legal proceedings, understands the continued heartbreak and frustration involved, and the amount of forbearance and character required to get through the days. For the sake of a cheap twist, this disgraceful twaddle dishonors all those sacrifices. 3) The Hospital (1971) I'm not sure this movie is still well-known enough to be truly overrated, but at the time this shrill, misogynistic, self-satisfied and self-defeating satire actually attracted some good notices. The combination of bombastic screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, pedestrian director Arthur Hiller and george C. Scott in real social realist mode as the bitter alcoholic he was born to be, er, play, trample whatever green shoots of antic comedy that attempt to poke up their heads. Diana Rigg, an actress I usually like, gives the worst performance of her career simply by playing her ludicrous character, The Girl, straight. 4) Stage Beauty (2004) I understand the criticism of "Shakespeare in Love," but that's "Battleship Potemkin" compared to this pale copy. Not only do Claire Danes and Billy Crudup make Gwynneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes look like Brangelina, this movie actually borrows the silliest storyline element from "Goldfinger." No, not the attack on Fort Knox, the part where one fling with Sean Connery cures Honor Blackman of her lesbian proclivities. Here, it's boyish Claire who supposedly entices Billy away from the boys; perhaps he just didn't notice a difference. ZZZZZZ. (Billy lost even more cred off-screen by leaving pregnant girlfriend Mary Louise Parker for Claire. No, truly, I'm not making that up. Talk about sexual confusion. Fittingly, Claire then left Billy for an avowedly gay actor.) 5) Closer Certain productions work acceptably on stage, where the immediacy of the acting and the intimacy of the setting can overcome contrived writing. With the right cast, "Closer" makes for an interesting if chilly theatrical experience. Blown up on screen, with little effort to expand the stagey settings and set-up, every bit of plot machinery and line of by-the-numbers dialogue gets cruelly exposed. The high-profile cast is not exactly bad, but strikes few sparks. In a sexual rondelet of two couples, it doesn't help that Natalie Portman exudes all the allure of an average 12-year-old playing dress up, while Jude Law opts to push his boyishness to new extremes.
]]>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:35:16 GMTflairTop 51/13/2009 6:35:16 PM 1) Gangs of New York (2002) As Pippin points out, in the land of overrated Scorsese, there are plenty of choices. But this represents the apogee: a meticulously researched, carefully staged, beautifully filmed, soulless, empty-headed, costume drama variation on all his other celebrations of violence. No matter how compelling the characters and intriguing their stories, Scorsese always manages to miss their heart. That's forgivable in rubbish like "Goodfellas" or a cartoon like "The Departed," where we know he's just filling time between spasms of bloodshed. But consider the resources that went into recreating this vanished world, only for Marty to once again fail at Storytelling 101. In an earlier era, Scorsese would be the batty uncle in the attic. Today, he's an award-winning director. Who says there's been no progress in the treatment of the mentally ill? 2) In the Bedroom (2001) Anyone who has ever lost a family member through crime, and struggled through the resulting legal proceedings, understands the continued heartbreak and frustration involved, and the amount of forbearance and character required to get through the days. For the sake of a cheap twist, this disgraceful twaddle dishonors all those sacrifices. 3) The Hospital (1971) I'm not sure this movie is still well-known enough to be truly overrated, but at the time this shrill, misogynistic, self-satisfied and self-defeating satire actually attracted some good notices. The combination of bombastic screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky, pedestrian director Arthur Hiller and george C. Scott in real social realist mode as the bitter alcoholic he was born to be, er, play, trample whatever green shoots of antic comedy that attempt to poke up their heads. Diana Rigg, an actress I usually like, gives the worst performance of her career simply by playing her ludicrous character, The Girl, straight. 4) Stage Beauty (2004) I understand the criticism of "Shakespeare in Love," but that's "Battleship Potemkin" compared to this pale copy. Not only do Claire Danes and Billy Crudup make Gwynneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes look like Brangelina, this movie actually borrows the silliest storyline element from "Goldfinger." No, not the attack on Fort Knox, the part where one fling with Sean Connery cures Honor Blackman of her lesbian proclivities. Here, it's boyish Claire who supposedly entices Billy away from the boys; perhaps he just didn't notice a difference. ZZZZZZ. (Billy lost even more cred off-screen by leaving pregnant girlfriend Mary Louise Parker for Claire. No, truly, I'm not making that up. Talk about sexual confusion. Fittingly, Claire then left Billy for an avowedly gay actor.) 5) Closer Certain productions work acceptably on stage, where the immediacy of the acting and the intimacy of the setting can overcome contrived writing. With the right cast, "Closer" makes for an interesting if chilly theatrical experience. Blown up on screen, with little effort to expand the stagey settings and set-up, every bit of plot machinery and line of by-the-numbers dialogue gets cruelly exposed. The high-profile cast is not exactly bad, but strikes few sparks. In a sexual rondelet of two couples, it doesn't help that Natalie Portman exudes all the allure of an average 12-year-old playing dress up, while Jude Law opts to push his boyishness to new extremes. http://www.spout.com/blogs/chesterfilms/archive/2007/6/8/10373.aspx Post By: chesterfilms
Post To: chesterfilms Blog
Post Date: 6/8/2007 2:50:33 AM
Body: On what would be one of the worst days of any ones life, Herbert Bock (George C. Scott) is running a hospital with doctors dying, and patents being mixed up. A very black comedy, The Hospital is defiantly a move of it's ere with it's strong political views and very 70's cinema style. It's still an unusual film today, but It must have been incredibly fresh back in 1971. Definitely worth a visit.
]]>Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:50:33 GMTchesterfilmschesterfilms Blog6/8/2007 2:50:33 AMOn what would be one of the worst days of any ones life, Herbert Bock (George C. Scott) is running a hospital with doctors dying, and patents being mixed up. A very black comedy, The Hospital is defiantly a move of it&#39;s ere with it&#39;s strong political views and very 70&#39;s cinema style. It&#39;s still an unusual film today, but It must have been incredibly fresh back in 1971. Definitely worth a visit. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/suicide/MemberTagFilms.aspxsuicide
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