The gallows humor of The Hospital was years ahead of its time when it first appeared in 1971 and the film's unusual mixture of black comedy and cynical outrage still appears fresh when compared to the programmed dramatics of TV medical series like E.R.. Screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky was partially inspired to write this attack on institutionalized medicine after his wife's unhappy experience in a hospital while suffering from a neurological disorder. The incompetence and hospital staff apathy she encountered there so enraged Chayefsky that he funneled his frustrations into this screenplay. He also interviewed numerous doctors, nurses, surgeons, and administrators and poured over actual malpractice suits before his scenario began to take shape.
Although Chayefsky had only worked on one film - the multi-million dollar flop, Paint Your Wagon - since his last critical success, The Americanization of Emily in 1964, he was still able to secure full creative approval on every aspect of The Hospital. His first choice for the role of Dr. Bock was George C. Scott even though United Artists wanted him to consider Burt Lancaster and Walter Matthau. Even though Scott's salary demands were at first refused, Chayefsky persisted and got his leading man in the end. For director, Michael Ritchie was hired but almost immediately clashed with Chayefsky over the set design. He was soon fired and replaced with Arthur Hiller who had worked with Chayefsky previously on The Americanization of Emily. As Barbara Drummond, the hospital visitor who seduces Dr. Bock in his office, Jane Fonda was first considered but Scott reportedly vetoed the offer with his comment, "still too much of a hippy, and in need of a bath." Ali MacGraw and Candice Bergen were also considered but Chayefsky had his heart set on Diana Rigg, a graduate of the British Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and an acclaimed London stage actress. Though Rigg at first turned down the role, she changed her mind after Barnard Hughes (cast as her father in the film) visited her in her dressing room after a performance of Abelard and Heloise and told her she was crazy to pass up an opportunity to work with Chayefsky.
Filmed at the Metropolitan Hospital on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, The Hospital had its share of expected "fireworks" during production which was no surprise since both Chayefsky and George C. Scott were volatile, opinionated men who rarely compromised on their artistic principles. Scott was going through a difficult period in his marriage to Colleen Dewhurst at the time and was drinking heavily during filming. Some days he simply didn't show up on the set while other days he arrived drunk and unable to work. In some ways his behavior was startlingly similar to the angry, suicidal character he was playing. Regardless, Scott was not an actor who took direction easily. Chayefsky found this out when he offered some acting suggestions to Scott for a specific scene and Scott exploded, screaming 'You do your f**king writing! And I'll do the acting!" Yet, somehow Scott pulled himself together and gave a magnificent performance, which earned his a Best Actor Oscar® nomination. Chayefsky did even better. His script for The Hospital won the Academy Award® for Best Screenplay (He would also win it for Network in 1976).
In Mad as Hell, a biography of Paddy Chayefsky by Shaun Considine, director Arthur Hiller commented on the acclaimed playwright: "People often say to me, 'You've done two pictures with Paddy, how did you get through it?' My answer always is, 'When a genius speaks, I listen.' He's really the only genius I ever worked with. He was way above the rest of us."
Director: Arthur Hiller
Producer: Howard Gottfried, Jack Grossberg (associate)
Screenplay: Paddy Chayefsky
Cinematography: Victor J. Kemper
Music: Morris Surdin
Cast: George C. Scott (Dr. Herbert Bock), Diana Rigg (Miss Barbara Drummond), Barnard Hughes (Edmund Drummond), Richard A. Dysart (Dr. Welbeck), Stephen Elliott (Dr. John Sundstrom), Andrew Duncan (William Mead), Donald Harron (Dr. Milton Mead)
C-103m. Letterboxed.
by Jeff Stafford
