Any love for The Hospital here?
I saw it back in the day, in the theater. And recently rewatched it on Netflix.
Left me damned depressed, because the movie is over 40 years old, but everything it showed about healthcare is still so true. 
Still, George C. Scott gave a masterful performance as the despairing physician Dr Bock. I was surprised how strongly I identified with him.
And Diana Rigg was so lovely and witty as Barbara. I loved this bit:
Barbara: I have a thing about middle-aged men.
Bock: I admire your candor.
Barbara: You’ve been admiring a lot more than that.
And this:
Barbara: It’s hard for me to take your despair very seriously, Doctor. You obviously enjoy it so much.
I do find it a bit cliche that an old man’s will to live and contribute to society was restored by a sexy young woman, but even so it was good to revisit. Paddy Chayefsky was quite the talented screenwriter who died too soon.
I love that movie, did not realize how old it is!
I recognized the thread title! Good movie all around.
It’s not going to be restored by sudden permanent celibacy.
Been a long time since I saw it. I recognized it as a standout and odd work at the time. I think it was the first Paddy Chayevsky work I ever saw.
Yes, but would it kill Hollywood to have an old man’s will to live and contribute to society restored by a sexy older woman? Someone old enough to buy booze without getting carded.
But won’t someone think of the GILFs?
Ok, Ok, I’m picturing the Queen of Thorns right now.
[sub]I’ll always have a crush on Diana Rigg, at any age[/sub]
This film brought Paddy Chayefsky one of his record three solo Academy Awards for Best Screenplay (the other two were Marty and Network). Several other people also won three Academy Awards for their screenplays (perhaps most notably Woody Allen and Billy Wilder) but they all had collaborators. Chayefsky did it alone.
It’s a strange mix of dark and depressing drama with witty comedy. How can you go wrong with George C. Scott and Diana Rigg in the lead roles? If anyone doubts it’s a comedy wait til the last 30 minutes.
Smack in the middle of all the antics is the hapless guy who demanded a private room (but didn’t get it)! 
It’s a great period piece, too, particularly if you want to be reminded why hideous sideburns were never a good idea!
Chayefsky could do realism when he wanted to, better than anyone. This wasn’t one of those movies. Part of its unique charm is that it has serious themes without taking itself too seriously.
That sentiment is shared, as far as I can tell, without exception by everyone who was a boy during Seasons 4 and 5 of The Avengers. For whatever reason, I don’t even recall any episodes without Rigg and was originally under the impression that she was in all of them, but it was just 2 seasons out of 6.
Weird trivia item about “The Hospital:”
Barnard Hughes first appears as Dr. Mallory, the hysterectomy surgeon. But that is not his ‘real’ role in the film Reason for his dual role is murky, but some chatter indicates that the actor who was supposed to play Dr. Mallory was not available or didn’t show up or something–so it was given to the capable hands of Barnard Hughes to play, disguised by surgical cap, glasses, and mustache.
Paddy Chayefsky? I should check this out.