University of Virginia Library

Perry's Babies

The weak script is the main
reason for much of the failure of
"Doc". Perhaps Perry can only
direct what his wife Eleanor writes.
Together they have been
responsible for several interesting
films, such as "Diary of a Mad
Housewife," "David and Lisa," and
"Last Summer." Although the
scripts of these films were not
among cinema's finest, the Perrys
were blessed with a competent
roster of actors: Keir Dullea, Cathy
Burns, Bruce Davidson, Carrie
Snodgress, and Richard Benjamin.

Keach, Dunaway and Yulin are
all good actors, but in this film they
were miscast. They are energetic
and explosive people on screen, and
"Doc" cannot work with such
dynamic people being suffocated.
Offhand, I can think of nobody I'd
cast instead, but it seems clear to
me that the success of a Frank
Perry film definitely depends on
the actors and not the director.

(Now at the Barracks Road)