David and Lisa **** (1962, Keir Dullea, Janet Margolin, Howard Da Silva, Neva Patterson, Clifton James) – Classic Movie Review 8727

Director Frank Perry’s and writer Eleanor Perry’s 1962 David and Lisa is a significant film and also important culturally as an American independent production that gained Oscar nominations for the husband and wife director-writer team, thus helping towards establishing a viable alternative to mainstream cinema in the US. It was nominated for two Oscars: Best Director (Frank Perry) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Eleanor Perry). Keir Dullea won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer – Male.

Love blossoms for David and Lisa (played by Keir Dullea and Janet Margolin) but they face problems because of their mental instability and their situation in an institution run by nice doctor Dr Alan Swinford (Howard Da Silva).

David and Lisa is an attractive film with warm, fresh performances, a moving story and honourable attitudes. It is Frank Perry’s director début. Eleanor Perry’s screenplay is based on Theodore Isaac Rubin MD’s book. Eleanor Perry scripted all Frank Perry’s films up to Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970) till they divorced in 1971.

Also in the cast are Neva Patterson, Clifton James, Richard McMurray, Nancy Nutter, Mathew Anden, Jaime Sanchez, Coni Hudak, Karen Lynn Gorney and Janet Lee Parker.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8727

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