Diary of a Mad Housewife

1h 35m 1970

Brief Synopsis

A corn-flower, blue-eyed housewife steps from the frying pan into the fire, as she finds romantic relief from her sadistic lawyer husband with a seductive, charmer.

Cast & Crew

Read More

Frank Perry

Director

Richard Benjamin

Jonathan Balser

Frank Langella

George Prager

Carrie Snodgress

Tina Balser

Lorraine Cullen

Sylvie Balser

Frannie Michel

Liz Balser

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
New York opening: 10 Aug 1970
Production Company
Frank Perry Films
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures
Country
United States
Location
New York City, New York, USA
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Diary of a Mad Housewife by Sue Kaufman (New York, 1967).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)

Synopsis

New York housewife Tina Balser resents the manipulation of her nagging husband, Jonathan, a status-seeking attorney, and the complaints of her spoiled daughters, Sylvie and Liz. At a gallery opening egocentric author George Prager propositions her, and she subsequently becomes his mistress. During an afternoon rendezvous, however, Tina's aggressive lover reveals certain affinities with her abusive husband. As the affair disintegrates, one of Jonathan's pet projects, a fabulous party, aborts. In its aftermath he confesses to Tina that he has mismanaged the couple's savings, endangered his position in the firm, and committed adultery. Tina responds by leaving George, whom she labels a latent homosexual, and participating in group therapy.

Director

Frank Perry

Director

Cast

Richard Benjamin

Jonathan Balser

Frank Langella

George Prager

Carrie Snodgress

Tina Balser

Lorraine Cullen

Sylvie Balser

Frannie Michel

Liz Balser

Lee Addoms

Mrs. Prinz

Peter Dohanos

Samuel Keefer

Katherine Meskill

Charlotte Rady

Leonard Elliott

M. Henri

Valma

Margo

Hilda Haynes

Lottie

Lester Rawlins

Dr. Linstrom

Jeanette Dubois

Vera

William Kiehl

Elliot Asher

Don Symington

Pediatrician

Allison Mills

Women's lib girl

Peter Boyle

Man in group therapy session

Alice Cooper Band

Themselves

Cash Baxter

John Tillenger

Lydia Wilen

Beverly Ballard

Crew

Colleen Callaghan

Hairstyles

Josephine Cianelli

Makeup

Peter Dohanos

Production Design

Bob Drumheller

Set Decoration

Charles Federmack

Sound

R. L. Felgen & Co.

Gallery seq

Phil Goldfarb

Production Manager

James Hagerman

Men's Wardrobe

Gerald Hirschfeld

Director of Photography

Allen Jones

Paintings from the exhibition of

Sidney Katz

Film Editor

Ruth Morley

Costume Design

Bud Nolan

Sound Editing

Charles Okun

Assistant Director

Eleanor Perry

Screenwriter

Frank Perry

Producer

Sam Robert

Set Decoration

Flo Transfield

Women's Wardrobe

Lydia Wilen

Assistant to the prod

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
New York opening: 10 Aug 1970
Production Company
Frank Perry Films
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures
Country
United States
Location
New York City, New York, USA
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Diary of a Mad Housewife by Sue Kaufman (New York, 1967).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)

Award Nominations

Best Actress

1970
Carrie Snodgress

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Filmed on location in New York City.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1996

Released in United States August 10, 1970

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970

Released in United States 1996 (Shown in New York City (Film Forum) as part of program "Out of the Seventies: Hollywood's New Wave 1969-1975" May 31 - July 25, 1996.)

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970

Released in United States August 10, 1970

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