The Iceman Cometh (1973) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

Read More

It's 1912 and the patron's of 'The Last Chance Saloon' have gathered for their evening of whiskey to contemplate their lost faith and dreams, when Hickey (Lee Marvin) arrives. Hickey is out to convince everyone that he can help them all find peace of mind by ridding them of the foolish dreams and by bringing them back to reality. Hickey is working especially hard on Larry Slade (Robert Ryan) a former anarchist who has lost his will for life and is awaiting the eventuality of death. Larry is not affected by the cajolings of Hickey but his young companion Parritt (Jeff Bridges) is strangely affected and this leads to revelations about his own mother and feelings of betrayal and loss. As the night wears on the mood changes as everyone has the their faith and dreams slowly destroyed by Hickey. As the anger builds everyone turns on Hickey about his wife and the iceman. This leads to more revelations and with Hickey having the faint questioning of his own new found convictions.

Cast & Crew

Read More

John Frankenheimer

Bradford Dillman

Lee Marvin

Evans Evans

Don Mcgovern

Nancy Juno Dawson

Film Details

Also Known As

Iceman Cometh

MPAA Rating

Genre

Adaptation

Drama

Period

Release Date

1973

Technical Specs

Duration

3h 59m

Sound

Mono

Color

Color (Eastmancolor)

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.85 : 1

Synopsis

In 1912 at Harry's dingy waterfront saloon on the occasion of his birthday, several locals come to the saloon to ponder the lives they'd planned, the lives they still dream about, and the wasted lives they ended up with.

Director

John Frankenheimer

Cast

Bradford Dillman

Lee Marvin

Evans Evans

Don Mcgovern

Nancy Juno Dawson

Fredric March

Martyn Green

Tom Pedi

Stephen Pearlman

Hildy Brooks

Bart Burns

Jeff Bridges

Clifton James

Robert Ryan

Moses Gunn

Sorrell Booke

John Mcliam

George Voskovec

Crew

Raphael Bretton

Thomas Quinn Curtiss

Lewis Edward

Executive Producer

Dorothy Jeakins

Costume Designer

Harold F. Kress

Ely Landau

Les Landau

Production Associate

Emile Lavigne

Kurt Neuman

Assistant Director

Eugene O'neill

Play As Source Material

Eugene O'neill

Jack Martin Smith

Production Designer

Irving Temaner

Production Manager

Henry T. Weinstein

Executive Producer

Ralph Woolsey

Director Of Photography

Ralph Woolsey

Film Details

Also Known As

Iceman Cometh

MPAA Rating

Genre

Adaptation

Drama

Period

Release Date

1973

Technical Specs

Duration

3h 59m

Sound

Mono

Color

Color (Eastmancolor)

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.85 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

'Ryan, Robert' , knowing he was going to die of cancer soon, agreed to play the part of Larry Slade, a character who knows he's going to die soon. (Incidentally, Ryan died before the film was released.)

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1973

Released in United States 1996

Director John Frankenheimer died July 6, 2002 of a stroke at the age of 72.

Released in United States 1973

Released in United States 1996 (Shown in New York City (MOMA) as part of program "Directed by John Frankenheimer: The Television and Film Work" January 19 - February 6, 1996.)

By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use