David and Lisa, the film they used to show on the late late show in the '70s, at least on New York TV, remains a moving timeless classic and features outstanding performances by Keir Dullea as David, Janet Margolin as Lisa, and Howard Da Silva as Dr. Alan Swinford. Based on a real life case study from 1958 by Psychologist Theodore Isaac Rubin this black and white film follows David as he enters a school for "emotionally/mentally disturbed" teens. Here the shrink uses a humanistic approach, really the opposite of what mainstream psychiatry has become. For Alan the solution is to open up one's feelings as opposed to numbing one with psychotropic drugs as is the norm today. Anyway we find that David is very intelligent though he has some severe phobias: touch, death, etc. He meets Lisa, someone with multiple personality disorder (not schizophrenia). The film turns into a love story between the two as they in effect end up curing each other. Through it all the sixties feel shines through as well as the acting, directing, writing (Eleanor Perry), and cinematography talents. Da Silva does a great job with that distinctive voice of his, and a great comeback role from the blacklisting period (due to the bastard Robert Taylor). But again a rare excellence is attained by Dullea who went on to 2001 fame, and Janet Margolin. Shot in Philadelphia the final moving scene was done at the Art Museum there. Think I'll stop by there next time I'm there to see if it's the same all these years later. So if you're into great '60s cinema check this (one of my faves) out...but by any means necessary avoid the worthless Oprah version.
Review of David and Lisa
