Product Details

• Actors: Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin, Candice Azzara
• Directors: Howard Zieff
• Writers: Alan Mandel, Charles Shyer, Henri-Pierre Roché, Julius J. Epstein, Max Shulman
• Producers: Alex Winitsky, Arlene Sellers
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: May 31, 2005
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007QJ1ZW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,670 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "House Calls" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

HOUSE CALLS - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Romantic Comedy, July 9, 2005

By 

Tom Provost "movie/book nerd" (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: House Calls (DVD)

This laid back romantic comedy from 1978 is a real treat, particularly because of the performances. Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson were so wonderfully combustible in the movie, they were again paired in 'Hopscotch', though oddly in the second film, they spent little time on screen together. Art Carney is a riot as a bumbling Chief of Staff, and all the supporting performances, from Richard Benjamin to the always delightful Candace Azzara, are equally enjoyable. Howard Zieff has a lackadaisical directing style that perfectly suits the material and actors. He basically gets out of the way and lets everyone shine. If you have not seen this movie, give it a try. (It was so successful it was made into a sitcom the following year, but without Matthau and Jackson, it didn't really go anywhere.)

One odd and rather irritating thing, though: The movie has the obligatory 70's love montage in the middle. In the original film, and in the TV versions and VHS versions, The Beatles `Something in the Way She Moves' was the background music, and it was just wonderful. The film was cut to the music, and it really had an impact on the two leads' relationship. Michael Jackson and Co (unless he has since sold the rights) must not have allowed the music to be used on the DVD, or made a ridiculous demand, for the song is missing. There is just some mediocre filler music behind the montage and it really hurts that section of the film. It's annoying they were not able to put the movie on DVD in its original form.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lighter Than Air, and What's Wrong With That?, December 19, 2005

By 

J. Merritt - See all my reviews

This review is from: House Calls (DVD)

In a career that featured a wealth of great comic performances, Walter Matthau gave few that were more delightful and relaxed than this one. In contrast to the wonderfully over-the-top style he displayed while winning an Oscar for "The Fortune Cookie" and being nominated for another in "The Sunshine Boys," Matthau employed a lighter but equally effective comic touch for this 1978 romantic comedy. He plays a widowed doctor who is over his grief and ready to sow some wild oats, only to find that he's fallen for a woman who wants nothing to do with his playboy ways. Glenda Jackson, who later left acting to join the British parliament, is a perfect match for Matthau's game, and the two trade barbs beautifully in a film that plays so leisurely that it's over before you know it. Look for superb supporting performances from Richard Benjamin as well as Art Carney as the dottering and caustic hospital administrator. He hams it up wonderfully in a part far removed from the nice guy he played in "The Honeymooners." This is one of those movies that looks like it was fun to make. It's definitely fun to watch.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Walter, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: House Calls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Walter as a frisky widower;Glenda as his soul-mate/ nemisis;Art Carney as a bumbling Medical Director;and Richard Benjamin as the sarcastic Voice-of-Reason..plus....Walter in a babushka...all add up to a wonderfully romantic,hysterically funny look at the dating game. There will never be another Walter, so get this one and savor one of his best performances. What a sweet guy he must have been.It just shines through in this role.