For the Use of the Hall

Oliver Hailey’s zany, yet serious, comedy of manners about coming to terms with success and failure thrives on deliciously absurd situations and hysteric-inducing dialogue. It concerns the dilemma of Martin, an unsuccessful playwright (George Furth), and Charlotte (Barbara Barrie), who believes worldly success and wealth are prerequisites of a happy life. Though Charlotte initially engages our sympathies, it is Martin’s contented wife, Alice (Joyce Van Patten), who accepts her modest talent, and in the end, proves the play’s theme

1975, Comedy, 90 minutes, Color

Cast: Aline MacMahon, Barbara Barrie, Susan Anspach, Joyce Van Patten, David Hedison, George Furth


Written by: Oliver Hailey

Music by: William Prince

Directed by: Lee Grant


Produced by: George Turpin

Executive Producer: Norman Lloyd