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The Cobweb

Play trailer Poster for The Cobweb Released Jun 7, 1955 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
At a psychiatric clinic for the elite, Dr. Stewart McIver (Richard Widmark) wants to institute a policy of self-governance among his patients. To further his goals, Dr. McIver proposes that residents collaborate to design and make new drapes for the clinic library. Though it seems inconsequential, trouble ensues when the clinic patients become locked in a power struggle with the equally unbalanced staff, including activities director Meg Rinehart (Lauren Bacall).

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The Cobweb

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Art and science, the personal and the professional, and the rule and the exception converge with volatile flamboyance in Vincente Minnelli’s melodrama... May 23, 2022 Full Review Gavin Lambert Sight & Sound The film remains tentative, uncommitted. Mar 30, 2020 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Vincente Minnelli's 1955 melodrama is set in a posh mental hospital; he choreographs the various plots and subplots with the same style and dynamism he brought to his famous musicals. Dec 3, 2001 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Director Vincente Minnelli struggles to add any semblance of dramatic tension to this all-star endeavor. Rated: 2/4 Sep 1, 2025 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Strange, unique look at mental asylum is both visually and dramatically brilliant. Aug 8, 2008 Full Review Niki Patton Martha's Vineyard Times (Massachusetts) With its usual twist, it's surprising that The Cobweb hasn't become a cult classic. This '50's studio picture combines the ever popular Hollywood topic of mental illness with interior decorating. Mar 11, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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James F Such a good cast deserved a better script. No wonder so many originally cast actors bailed! Their lines & reactions to one another were laughable as were the performances of Kerr & Strasburg. The usually wonderful Bacall was nowhere in sight. And the premise of the curtains in the lounge belongs in an SNL sketch. The staff of the institution were more in need of counseling than the patience. Oh, was that the point? Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Mary N Found the characters not believable. Widmark is dreadfully miscast. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Audience Member The whole movie is well acted and every scene adds to the loneliness felt by both the patients and the staff at the clinic. Some excellent quotes too. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review ashley h The Cobweb is a decent film. It is about the doctors and staff are about as crazy as the patients at an exclusive psychiatric clinic. Richard Widmark and Lauren Bacall give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Vicente Minnelli did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review bill t THE DRAPES! THE DRAPES! Won't someone think of THE DRAPES! Unbelievably cheesy drama about the wild goings on at an upscale mental hospital. Where it's Peyton-Place drama craziness reveals that, yes, the staff are probably crazier then the patients. Richard widmark tries to keep everyone sane, while doctors drink, have affairs, and just chew scenery any way they can. Lauren Bacall is seen taking a step back in almost every scene she's in. And yets, those drapes. Shit. What a movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm watching this right now and wow what a mess. It's total nonsense first off the therapy they're using, if that's supposed to be psychoanalysis I'm a hermit crab. I've known psychoanalysts and understand their methods, surely they'd cringe seeing this garbage. As far as story it's bland as heck and boring, you want it over the moment it begins. Nothing redeeming here pure absurdity. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cobweb

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Cast & Crew

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Vincente Minnelli

Director

Richard Widmark

Dr. Stewart "Mac" McIver

Lauren Bacall

Meg Faversen Rinehart

Charles Boyer

Dr. Douglas N. Devanal

Gloria Grahame

Karen McIver

Lillian Gish

Victoria Inch

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The Cobweb

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Movie Info

Synopsis At a psychiatric clinic for the elite, Dr. Stewart McIver (Richard Widmark) wants to institute a policy of self-governance among his patients. To further his goals, Dr. McIver proposes that residents collaborate to design and make new drapes for the clinic library. Though it seems inconsequential, trouble ensues when the clinic patients become locked in a power struggle with the equally unbalanced staff, including activities director Meg Rinehart (Lauren Bacall).
Director
Vincente Minnelli
Producer
John Houseman
Screenwriter
John Paxton, William Gibson
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 7, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 25, 2016
Runtime
2h 4m
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