Desperate Characters
1971 | 97m | English
Popularity: 1 (history)
| Director: | Frank D. Gilroy |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Frank D. Gilroy, Paula Fox |
| Staring: |
| Sophie and Otto Bentwood are a middle-aged, middle class, childless Brooklyn Heights couple trapped in a loveless marriage. He is an attorney, she a translator of books. Their existence is affected not only by their disintegrating relationship but by the threats of urban crime and vandalism that surround them everywhere they turn, leaving them feeling paranoid, scared, and desperately helpless. | |
| Release Date: | Sep 22, 1971 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Frank D. Gilroy |
| Writer: | Frank D. Gilroy, Paula Fox |
| Genres: | Drama |
| Keywords | new york city, based on novel or book, depression, husband wife relationship, midlife crisis, vandalism, despair, paranoia, frigidity, boredom, childlessness, middle class, loveless marriage, anxiety |
| Production Companies | ITC Entertainment, T.D.J. Productions Inc. |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Jan 28, 2026 Entered: Apr 20, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Shirley MacLaine | Sophie Bentwood |
| Kenneth Mars | Otto Bentwood |
| Sada Thompson | Claire |
| Jack Somack | Leon |
| Gerald S. O'Loughlin | Charlie |
| Chris Gampel | Mike Holstein |
| Mary Alan Hokanson | Flo Holstein |
| Robert Bauer | Young Man |
| Carol Kane | Young Girl |
| Michael Higgins | Francis Early |
| Michael McAloney | Raconteur |
| Wallace Rooney | Man on Subway |
| Rose Gregorio | Ruth |
| Elena Karam | Saleslady |
| Nick Smith | The Caller |
| Robert Delbert | Hospital Attendant |
| Shauneille Perry | Woman Doctor (as Shauneille Ryder) |
| Gonzalee Ford | Nurse |
| Patrick McVey | Mr. Haynes |
| L. J. Davis | Tom |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Frank D. Gilroy | Director, Screenplay |
| Edgar Lansbury | Art Direction |
| Paula Fox | Novel |
| Urs Furrer | Director of Photography |
| Herbert F. Mulligan | Set Decoration |
| Sarah E. Gifft | Costume Design |
| Norman I. Cohen | Assistant Director, Production Manager |
| François Moullin | Assistant Director |
| Roberta Hodes | Script Supervisor |
| Ronald M. Lautore | Assistant Camera |
| Adeline Leonard Seakwood | Production Secretary |
| John H. Bolz | Sound Mixer |
| Jack Dalton Jr. | Boom Operator |
| Louis Gerolomi | Gaffer |
| Louis S. Toth, Jr. | Grip |
| Robert Reilly | Property Master |
| James Giblin | Transportation Captain |
| Peggy Farrell | Wardrobe Master |
| Vic Ramos | Extras Casting |
| Geraldine Fabrikant | Assistant Editor |
| Thomas Halpin | Sound Editor |
| Sanford Rackow | Sound Editor |
| Dick Vorisek | Sound Re-Recording Mixer |
| Jim Hall | Original Music Composer |
| Robert Q. Lovett | Editor |
| Michael Haley | Assistant Production Manager |
| Rick Shaine | Assistant Editor |
| Ron Carter | Original Music Composer |
| Lee Konitz | Original Music Composer |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Frank D. Gilroy | Producer |
| Paul Leaf | Co-Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Trending Position