They Might Be Giants [1971] with George C. Scott

They Might Be Giants





Directed by Anthony Harvey

Written by James Goldman



George C. Scott ... Justin Playfair

Joanne Woodward ... Dr. Mildred Watson

Jack Gilford ... Wilbur Peabody

Lester Rawlins ... Blevins Playfair

Al Lewis ... Messenger

Rue McClanahan ... Daisy Playfair

Ron Weyand ... Dr. Strauss

Oliver Clark ... Mr. Small

Theresa Merritt ... Peggy

Jenny Egan ... Miss Finch

Jane Hoffman ... 2nd Telephone Operator

Michael McGuire ... Telephone Guard

Eugene Roche ... Policeman

James Tolkan ... Mr. Brown

Kitty Winn ... Grace





Music by John Barry

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date(s) June 9, 1971

Running time 98 min



They Might Be Giants is a 1971 film based on the Broadway play of the same name (both written by James Goldman) starring George C. Scott and Joanne Woodward.



Justin Playfair (Scott) is a millionaire who retreats into fantasy after the death of his wife, imagining himself to be Sherlock Holmes, the legendary fictional detective. Complete with a deerstalker hat, smoking pipe and violin, he spends his days in a self-constructed criminal laboratory, constantly paranoid of plots hatched by his (that is, Holmes's) arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty.



When his brother (Lester Rawlins) places Justin under observation in a mental institution, and conspires with his former business associate to get his power of attorney, Justin attracts the attention of Dr. Mildred Watson (Woodward), a psychiatrist who becomes fascinated by his case. After Justin demonstrates a knack for Holmesian deduction, the institution releases him, and Watson meets with him at his home. Playfair is initially dismissive of Watson's attempts at psychoanalyzing him, but when he hears her name, he enthusiastically incorporates her into his life as Dr. Watson to his Holmes.



The duo then begin an enigmatic quest for Moriarty, with Playfair/Holmes following all manner of bizarre and (to Watson) unintelligible clues, growing closer to each other in the process.





Also contains commentary track containing interview with the film's director Anthony Harvey.





http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067848/