I am writing this too late for my own good and it’s about hospitals which was a theme I suggested and Wandering Through The Shelves chose. Let’s get to it....
1. THE SNAKE PIT-1948
This film stars Olivia DeHavilland as a young lady with mental problems( I hate the word mental as I think of it as a brain disorder) who has no idea who her husband is nor how she got to be in the psychiatric hospital. We see her slowly come to realize her issues with the help of electroshock therapy but when a nasty nurse gets the patient to erupt, she ends up on a ward called "the snake pit” which are for patients who will never get better. This is actually very well acted by DeHavilland plus Celeste Holm and Ruth Donnelly. DeHavilland took her role very seriously and would visit many hospitals plus lectures to understand the psyche. Today, the way she is being “cured” is out-dated, thankfully, and so is the strong belief in Freudian psychosis. It is worth checking out for sure.
2. M.A.S.H.-1970
This take place in 1951 during the Korean War, at a mobile surgical hospital located about 3 miles from the front. The famous TV Show has eclipsed this film and I do love the iconic TV Show that still holds the record for the most viewers for the season finale. I watch the tv show every chance I get and love all the characters but this tv Show is based on this sarcastic film that is wicked in so many ways and could not be made today in our PC world. Hawkeye Pierce comes to this hospital and meets Trapper John where they soon bring on many hijinks to the detriment of upstart Major Frank Burns and Major Margaret Houlihan. These 2 believe in strict order and discipline unlike Hawkeye and Trapper. Burns and Houlihan find themselves loving each other all over with Burns calling her Hotlips unbeknownst that their lovemaking is being broadcast throughout the unit. This is so funny, sad, and taking the PC society right on its head like the oncoming “suicide” of the dentist filming it like the Last Supper. I love this movie.
3. THE HOSPITAL-1971
I have not seen this in decades but it left an impression on me because it shows a hospital closer to what it really is than the self-sacrificing doctors who will do all they can to not only save your life but make sure you, the patient, get the best treatment above JFK..If he were alive. Today, nurses are shown as all Florence Nightingales with some a bit ornery but always with the best love for the patients. Now, don't get me wrong, there are many out there that are decent, but I have met my share of a-hole doctors and nurse Ratchids. This film makes biting fun of these types that, I think, we have all met. Paddy Cheyefsky wrote the film, narrates it and had control over it..rare in itself. George C Scott plays the head doctor of this falling down hospital who left his wife, kids can't stand him and he can't get it up..poor guy. On top of it all, a couple of nurses and a doctor have been killed...what is he to do. If you ever get to see it, see it as it is a biting satire on what I have seen for real.
Which hospital movies come to your mind? You know...I still have to see a Dr. Kildare movie or even the tv show with heartthrob Richard Chamberlain.
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI believe I have discussed The Snake Pit with you on several previous occasions, noting that it is a movie I saw at an early age and one that made an indelible impression. Most memorable is the shot taken high above the mental hospital's "hopeless" ward. As the camera zooms out, the large group of lost souls meandering and gesticulating below come to resemble writhing snakes in a pit. I greatly admired Olivia de Havilland and was happy that she enjoyed a very long life.
Coincidentally, last night Mrs. Shady was watching one of her favorite TV series, St. Elsewhere, when "Painless" from M*A*S*H appeared on the screen. Actor John Schuck guest starred in four episodes of that series in 1984, and I enjoyed him throughout the 70s in the main cast role of "Enright" in Rock Hudson's NBC series McMillan & Wife. I liked the M*A*S*H film more so than the TV series, although I admire Donald Sutherland and Alan Alda equally.
If you hadn't listed The Hospital, Shirley I would have, because I have also discussed this dark comedy film with you in the past. I loved Geo. C. Scott in all of his roles, including his lead in this satirical film with Diana Rigg.
For my hospital movie pick, I will name Garry Marshall's 1982 comedy Young Doctors In Love, a film that spoofs medical shows, particularly the TV daytime drama General Hospital. Many guest stars from ABC soap operas appear in the film which stars two of my favorites, Sean Young and Dabney Coleman.
Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend, dear friend BB!
You have talked about The Snake Pit many times, I remember and I thought this was a good reason to showcase this film which is quite good despite some issues that date the film but that doesn't matter.
DeleteMASH is so great as is the TV Show but once Alan Alda got more power behind the camera, the style changed from a satiric comedy to a moralist dramedy. I actually prefer the older shows because some of the later ones I felt I was being hit over the head with its moralistic issues. I do love John Schuck in Holmes & Yo-Yo.
The Hospital is such a great, if under-rated. film and I am glad you like it as well. I totally forgot about 'Young Doctors in Love."It's so funny especially since I still watch GH. It reminds me of Soapdish with John Candy.
M*A*S*H! Excellent choice. Ironically, I think the series was better than the movie.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go unconventional and say Nightmare on Elm Street part three.
The TV show is iconic. I have stayed away from the Nightmare films since I get too scared.
DeleteFirst one that came to mind for me was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. You even reference it! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I almost used this great film but I think I can use it in another post but it is so good.
DeleteI'm familiar with M*A*S*H but I've never seen any of your picks this week. I just said that on another post too, so hopefully this isn't a theme for me lol
ReplyDeleteThis is a time to mark some films down to see I think.
DeleteI couldn't think of any movies, and then I realized that I almost never watch movies or TV shows about hospitals. I worked in them for ten years. Enough, lol. I did see MASH and did not enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, yeah, that is too close to home. MASH is from another era and would never take today.
DeleteI have seen the first two. Not the third.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to see the 3rd one.
DeleteHi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteGreat choices!! Taken in context The Snake Pit is quite hard hitting though much of its psychology has been discredited. Olivia is great.
This film version of M*A*S*H* feels like a rough sketch now after the TV version spent so many years fleshing out and refining the characters. Still a very good film.
The Hospital is the first one that came to mind for me, hardly an amazing leap considering the name of the theme! It's a dark satire but one I liked and contains a great role for my girl Diana Rigg!
Aside from The Hospital the other two I thought of was the absurd Shock Treatment with Betty Bacall as a nutjob shrink as well as Stuart Whitman and Roddy McDowell and the equally cuckoo The Cobweb also with Bacall and an amazing cast (Richard Widmark, Fredric March, Gloria Grahame and Lillian freaking Gish among others) for such a piece of twaddle.
Oh My, I must now see the 2 movies you talk about as they sound so trashy. I love those kinds and so many big name stars especially The Cobweb.
DeleteYou are right about The Snakepit which still works today but not the methods, thankfully.
M.A.S.H. is a great TV show and I wish more people watch it today since it is so rightly famous. I do wish they would have done more with Frank Burns but Alan Alda decided to keep him as a foil for Hawkeye which is one of the reasons Larry Linville left the show.
I love Diana Rigg who was and is iconic.
Thanks for introducing me to Lucy in yesterday's post. She looks like a sweetie. And the only one of these movies I know is MASH. I didn't know there was a spook on General Hospital. I used to watch that back in college. One good thing now is kids don't have to rush back to catch up on the latest soap operas, but I guess there are other things to replace them. Hope 2022 is going well!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like Lucy:) I am not sure what you mean about GH? I still watch GH every day and have since I was a small kid since my mom watched that show.
DeleteYou've got some excellent choices here. The Snake Pit was one of my mother's favorites. I've seen it many times since I was a child.
ReplyDeleteThinking of hospital movies I've seen relatively recently the first one that pops into my head is Coma (1978), Breakthrough (2019) based on a true story about a teen who "died" after being under water for 45 minutes and revived, and Session 9 (2001) which takes place in an abandoned mental hospital.
A lot of films can fit into this genre.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
There are many movies that fit here. I still have to see Coma but remember the trailers for it. I heard about Breakthrough but not Session 9 which sounds intriguing. If it is a horror movie, I might pass as I get too scared.
DeleteHi Birgit - I hope all is continuing on well - but hospital movies - Richard Chamberlain as Dr Kildare called to me back in the day! I haven't seen any of these ... now perhaps I might and should look them out. It's great to read your suggestions and others' comments and notes - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Yes, Dr. Kildare was THE rage back in the day and I have yet to see an episode. Funny that it is not played much on tv like so many others.
DeleteI've never seen any of these, but I saw the TV show Mash in reruns. Satire is your superpower, dear Birgit!
ReplyDeleteHahahaa...Thanks for your comment:)) I am glad you saw MASH in reruns as it is such a great show.
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteMentioned previously in this thread, 'ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST' would certainly be at the top of my list.
Another one I thought of immediately was 'JACOB'S LADDER'. It doesn't take place exclusively in a hospital, but a couple of its most memorable scenes are played out in hospital rooms. This is my favorite "Horror" movie of all time.
My third choice would be 'BIRDY' (1984) with Nicolas Cage & Matthew Modine. Unfortunately, it's relatively unknown but nonetheless a real gem of a movie.
Believe it or not, other than maybe some random scenes, I don't believe I've ever seen M*A*S*H the movie. If it's as un-PC as you say, I should probably make it a point to check it out.
~ D-FensDogG
Cuckoo is great! I don't know Jacob's Ladder and may pass since i get scared so easily and it comes out in nightmares for me. Birdy sounds like a neat one to find out more about. Ughh...that was a wordy sentence. I know you know the TV Show MASH since you were in it many times which is cool to write. I love that show. You should see the movie.
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteThe first movie I thought of is "ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST" but I see that's been mentioned already. Another one that came to mind but I couldn't remember the name of it until I looked it up with Robin Williams, "PATCH ADAMS". And, finally there's "GENERAL HOSPITAL". It's not a movie but still works for the prompt. :)
I watch GH every day and have since I was a kid because my mom watched it at 3pm every day. Now it is on at 2pm. I watched it when it was close to being cancelled and then the Luke & Laura craze happened. I loved it when Robert Scorpio came on the scene. Patch Adams is a good Williams film and so is Awakenings
DeleteBack in the day, I was glued to the tube when Ben Casey and Dr.Kildare was on. Also had my white blouse with the doctor collar:)
ReplyDeleteHow are you feeling?
I am feeling OK except for my regular pain but the operation is now history! I need to look for a job...my heart is not in it. I forgot about Ben Casey!
DeleteThese are intense and intensely relevant (even in these times) picks, Birgit.
ReplyDeleteI quote some clients in my book. They say the darndest things. They're also a lot more sane than the people who diagnose and treat them, sometimes. One say, and your comment about "mental" reminds me of this: "My mom went to the menthol hospital." It might be a better world if big Pharma was taken over by a Menthol Cough Drop company. ?
=)
"One said," that is. Smiles.
DeleteMenthol sounds better to me. The #1 profession where people kill themselves are psychiatrists. Many people who have "mental" issues are highly intelligent and have been leaders like Winston Churchill.
DeleteI love MASH too, both film and tv series. I could score at least three here just by mentioning the ridiculous British Carry On films. Carry on Doctor, Cary on Nurse, Carry on Matron - you get the picture! And Doctor in the House.
ReplyDeleteI know I have seen Carry On movies but I can't quite remember them. I am so glad you mentioned them here.
DeleteM.A.S.H. A hilarious movie which, yes, is eclipsed by the TV show. A better Hawkeye than Alan Alda doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteWe've been bingeing MASH as a family. So good. I'm even willing to argue: best TV show ever. There have been better comedies. But to me, the very best MASH episode go far beyond anything anyone else has ever managed on primetime television. That beautiful balance between the absurdly funny and the crushingly tragic. Even some of the weaker episodes bring you to an emotional edge.
ReplyDeleteAnd then the best moments... I mean, Radar saluting Henry at the helipad... Forget it!
We have yet to watch the movie together. I suppose we should someday. I always find it a bit disappointing and I expect our daughter will, too. But we should still watch it.
I have not seen the MASH TV show but I do know of it and you’re right it did eclipse the movie; I only found out about the movie much much later.
ReplyDeleteI've seen all of these and enjoyed them. Yes, Olivia was excellent in the Snake Pit. Sad how mental patients were treated in those days! In my opinion, MASH the TV show was better than the movie. Like you, I'm a regular watcher. Now, whenever I see it, I'm looking for our mutual friend Stephen, one of the background actors.
ReplyDeleteThe Hospital sounds really intriguing!
ReplyDelete