The real-life Kinsey Report on modern-day sexual beliefs and behaviors is barely disguised here while being used as a facile backdrop, with the melodramatic film concentrating more on the hang-ups of four suburban women who have agreed to be surveyed for the project. Gene Allen, Wyatt Cooper, Don Mankiewicz, and Grant Stuart adapted the book by Irving Wallace, but tip their collective hand immediately when delineating the troubles of Claire Bloom's Naomi, a divorcée and man-magnet who is supposed to be a nymphomaniac; the way the character is rendered here, she's more of an alcoholic who (somehow unintentionally) ends up debasing herself with men, always with "no! no!" on her lips. The picture is about pinpointing where sexual repression and ideas of indecency ultimately come from, yet the screenwriters fall into their own trap with Naomi: judging her condescendingly, making her an unhappy lush, and failing to let us see what turns this woman on, what motivates her to meet strange men in seedy places (she isn't allowed to have any sexual fun--this is 'freedom' with an ultimate price). Jane Fonda is a frigid young widow who learns to loosen up with one of Dr. Chapman's own associates (!), while married Shelley Winters has convinced herself she's in love with her playboy and Glynis Johns is busy throwing herself at a beach bum. The sex survey is just an angle to get the movie going, and the professional question-and-answer sequences awkwardly turn into psychotherapy sessions for these frustrated ladies. What might have been an incisive glimpse into today's mores and morals has instead become a glossy, middle-brow soap opera, and everyone involved suffers from the slushy handling. ** from ****
33 Reviews
Worth seeing....and a bit trashy.
planktonrules8 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"The Chapman Report" is a definite movie of its times. In the early 1960s, sexuality was being more and more ubiquitous in movies and the old Production Code was eroding quickly. However, folks still were not ready for really raunchy movies...so Hollywood made some which broached sensitive topics but in a most gentle and chaste manner. In other words, things were still often alluded to instead of being said explicitly and nudity was still forbidden.
The story is about a group of sex researchers, much like Masters & Johnson or Kinsey. These researchers are investigating female sexuality and do so by interviewing women behind a screen so as to assure anonymity. Four women who participate in this survey are the subjects of the movie.
Sarah (Shelly Winters) is happily married but sexually frustrated with her very vanilla sex life. So, she's taken on a lover who she sees several times a week. But participating in the survey seems to be an epiphany....she realizes how empty and unsatisfying such an arrangement actually is and now she wants more.
Kathleen (Jane Fonda) is a woman who would be classified by most as being frigid. She's a widow but it appears as if she never actually consummated her marriage as she is desperately afraid of sex and has some weird daddy issues.
Naomi (Claire Bloom) is a divorcee who is very lonely and sexually ambivalent. On one hand, she wants a sexual relationship but on the other she is ashamed of herself, emotionally unstable and has a difficult time with guilt...though she behaves like a sexually adventurous and self-destructive woman.
Teresa (Glynis Johns) is a hard woman to describe. She seems to be self-absorbed and spends much of her time talking onto a tape recorder...chronicling her life and poetry as if she's some sort of famous star or goddess...which she isn't. But her relationship with her adoring husband isn't sexually satisfying....and after talking with the Chapman folks, she decides to experiment with an extramarital relationship.
For the most part, although the film is about sexuality, it's actually very traditional in its outlook. It also has some excellent moments which display fine acting (such as between Sarah and her husband once he learns of her adultery). Worth seeing and a bit trashy at the same time.
The story is about a group of sex researchers, much like Masters & Johnson or Kinsey. These researchers are investigating female sexuality and do so by interviewing women behind a screen so as to assure anonymity. Four women who participate in this survey are the subjects of the movie.
Sarah (Shelly Winters) is happily married but sexually frustrated with her very vanilla sex life. So, she's taken on a lover who she sees several times a week. But participating in the survey seems to be an epiphany....she realizes how empty and unsatisfying such an arrangement actually is and now she wants more.
Kathleen (Jane Fonda) is a woman who would be classified by most as being frigid. She's a widow but it appears as if she never actually consummated her marriage as she is desperately afraid of sex and has some weird daddy issues.
Naomi (Claire Bloom) is a divorcee who is very lonely and sexually ambivalent. On one hand, she wants a sexual relationship but on the other she is ashamed of herself, emotionally unstable and has a difficult time with guilt...though she behaves like a sexually adventurous and self-destructive woman.
Teresa (Glynis Johns) is a hard woman to describe. She seems to be self-absorbed and spends much of her time talking onto a tape recorder...chronicling her life and poetry as if she's some sort of famous star or goddess...which she isn't. But her relationship with her adoring husband isn't sexually satisfying....and after talking with the Chapman folks, she decides to experiment with an extramarital relationship.
For the most part, although the film is about sexuality, it's actually very traditional in its outlook. It also has some excellent moments which display fine acting (such as between Sarah and her husband once he learns of her adultery). Worth seeing and a bit trashy at the same time.
soapy trash, directed by George Cukor
blanche-222 August 2014
The eminent director George Cukor did The Chapman Report for Warner Brother. It's based on the book by Irving Wallace, which was inspired by the Kinsey report about sexual activity.
The Warner Brothers actors cast include Efrem Zimbalist as one of the interviewers who works for Mr. Chapman (Andrew Duggan), Ray Danton as a libidinous film director, and Ty Hardin as someone Glynis Johns meets on the beach. According to film lore, George Cukor was impressed enough with Hardin's good looks and physique that he ended up with a showy role in the film. Look for Chad Everett as a water delivery man in the beginning of the film.
But the women are the real stars: Jane Fonda, Glynis Johns, Clare Bloom, and Shelley Winters, all of whom are terrific.
Chapman and Paul Radford (Zimbalist) come to a town to do interviews with women for their statistics on sexual activity. That's all pretty dated. The film focuses on four women: Fonda as a widow of a bad marriage who thinks she's frigid and becomes involved with Radford; Bloom as a nymphomaniac; Winters as a cheating wife; and Johns as a woman who wonders if she's getting enough from her marriage, which seems happy enough. She's the comic relief, and she's a blast.
The best scene in the film occurs when Johns goes to Hardin's place to pose nude for her, with the idea of seducing him. Fonda, Bloom, and Johns are all gorgeous. Winters by this time was doing the more housefrau type of role. She's excellent as a desperately unhappy woman involved in an illicit affair with Danton.
This is the '60s idea of an adult film so everything is talked around, in half sentences, or shown as a fadeout. The only one who takes his clothes off is Hardin.
It's trash, but it's high-class trash and one does become involved with the characters.
The Warner Brothers actors cast include Efrem Zimbalist as one of the interviewers who works for Mr. Chapman (Andrew Duggan), Ray Danton as a libidinous film director, and Ty Hardin as someone Glynis Johns meets on the beach. According to film lore, George Cukor was impressed enough with Hardin's good looks and physique that he ended up with a showy role in the film. Look for Chad Everett as a water delivery man in the beginning of the film.
But the women are the real stars: Jane Fonda, Glynis Johns, Clare Bloom, and Shelley Winters, all of whom are terrific.
Chapman and Paul Radford (Zimbalist) come to a town to do interviews with women for their statistics on sexual activity. That's all pretty dated. The film focuses on four women: Fonda as a widow of a bad marriage who thinks she's frigid and becomes involved with Radford; Bloom as a nymphomaniac; Winters as a cheating wife; and Johns as a woman who wonders if she's getting enough from her marriage, which seems happy enough. She's the comic relief, and she's a blast.
The best scene in the film occurs when Johns goes to Hardin's place to pose nude for her, with the idea of seducing him. Fonda, Bloom, and Johns are all gorgeous. Winters by this time was doing the more housefrau type of role. She's excellent as a desperately unhappy woman involved in an illicit affair with Danton.
This is the '60s idea of an adult film so everything is talked around, in half sentences, or shown as a fadeout. The only one who takes his clothes off is Hardin.
It's trash, but it's high-class trash and one does become involved with the characters.
Let's talk about sex...
jarrodmcdonald-126 September 2014
A few notes about this film. Apparently, director George Cukor was unhappy with the finished product. The studio (Warner Brothers) and producer (Darryl Zanuck) caved to pressure from the Catholic Legion of Decency and altered the ending in order to provide a morally-correct resolution for the main characters (and audience).
It would certainly be interesting to see a director's cut of this film, or at least a shooting script to get a better idea of what Cukor and Zanuck intended. Probably Zanuck's goal was to create a film where people more openly discussed sex. However, America was not quite ready to do that yet in 1962, and with the Legion of Decency hovering over the scene, it would be nearly impossible.
I do think there are some excellent performances in this film, namely Glynis Johns and Claire Bloom who prove that British actresses often surpass their North American counterparts.
It would certainly be interesting to see a director's cut of this film, or at least a shooting script to get a better idea of what Cukor and Zanuck intended. Probably Zanuck's goal was to create a film where people more openly discussed sex. However, America was not quite ready to do that yet in 1962, and with the Legion of Decency hovering over the scene, it would be nearly impossible.
I do think there are some excellent performances in this film, namely Glynis Johns and Claire Bloom who prove that British actresses often surpass their North American counterparts.
Glossy trash.
gridoon1 January 2000
Vapid, profoundly trashy film, somewhat redeemed by fair performances and glossy production values. Jane Fonda's acting, however, is indeed surprisingly weak; it's hard to believe that the same actress gave such a powerful and moving performance in "The Chase", only four years later. The film is both sleazy and tame; it deals exclusively with the subject of sex, but it is very un-sexy, and never says anything meaningful, either. At least it's painless to watch.
I wonder if the uncensored version is any better?
JohnHowardReid4 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by the legendary George Cukor who was often acclaimed for his success in drawing award-winning performances from female stars, The Chapman Report would seem to be an ideal vehicle for his talents. Alas, his famous flair with women has not clicked this time around. Maybe his heart was not in it? Jane Fonda, for example, is simply awful. Claire Bloom, Shelley Winters and Glynis Johns are obviously not in love with their characters either. And as for the men, especially Ray Danton, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and Ty Hardin, most of them seem to be sleep- walking through their roles. Even always-reliables like John Dehner and Harold J. Stone do not come across well. And to add to the movie's woes in my area, the censor has obviously made cuts here and there, destroying whatever momentum the tired plot has managed to build up.
It's a man's world
mollytinkers12 July 2021
The director was male. The screenplay was co-authored by two men. The story adaption was by two men. The source material was a book written by a male. The producers were two men. The music, cinematography, editing, and makeup were done by men. How many red flags do I have to wave before you get the point? (BTW, this reviewer is a male in his 50s.)
Even the costuming was done by a man. Yes, I'm going there, because it's important. The non-lead males wore boring shirts and ties; but the allegedly sexy, virulent men is another story. Hardin wore shorts that barely covered his manhood. Danton wore shirts and sweaters unbuttoned to the naval. Allen shows up in a plunging V-neck that showcased his chest hair. And Everett wore a tight, tailored work uniform.
This film is drenched with a testosterone-driven point of view. If you don't like those 50s and 60s movies where everything is the woman's fault, you'll want to skip this.
What you ultimately have is the story of four women and their sexual mores and behavior as presented solely by men. Based on the Kinsey Report made famous in the 1950s revolving around sexual behavior amongst its volunteering interviewees, it's ironic that Alfred Kinsey, himself, eventually was accused of having sex with both the female and male volunteers. Even some of his staff were accused. The Kinsey Foundation eventually issued a formal, public apology.
Approach this with the lowest of expectations. That way, maybe you'll find some redeeming quality in it. I did; and it was the performances of the female leads, despite the pathetic, ridiculous script.
Even the costuming was done by a man. Yes, I'm going there, because it's important. The non-lead males wore boring shirts and ties; but the allegedly sexy, virulent men is another story. Hardin wore shorts that barely covered his manhood. Danton wore shirts and sweaters unbuttoned to the naval. Allen shows up in a plunging V-neck that showcased his chest hair. And Everett wore a tight, tailored work uniform.
This film is drenched with a testosterone-driven point of view. If you don't like those 50s and 60s movies where everything is the woman's fault, you'll want to skip this.
What you ultimately have is the story of four women and their sexual mores and behavior as presented solely by men. Based on the Kinsey Report made famous in the 1950s revolving around sexual behavior amongst its volunteering interviewees, it's ironic that Alfred Kinsey, himself, eventually was accused of having sex with both the female and male volunteers. Even some of his staff were accused. The Kinsey Foundation eventually issued a formal, public apology.
Approach this with the lowest of expectations. That way, maybe you'll find some redeeming quality in it. I did; and it was the performances of the female leads, despite the pathetic, ridiculous script.
Chapman Report: Glossy Soap
CitizenCaine25 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
George Cukor (Golden Globe nomination) was known as a women's director in the 1930's and 1940's, so it's no small wonder he turns up here directing The Chapman Report (Golden Globe nomination as best picture). However, the hallmarks of Cukor's films were signature framing, which is apparent throughout the film, and strong female characterizations. The strong female characters are what's missing in this adaptation of Irving Wallace's book, which was influenced by the Kinsey Report at the time. Sex researchers Andrew Duggan and Efrem Zimbalist Jr come to suburban America's backyard to speak about sex at a women's club, setting four stories of different (meaning 1962 clichés) women in motion.
Shelley Winters plays Sarah Garnell, married to Frank played by Howard J. Stone (Golden Globe nomination). Winters is currently involved in an affair with Ray Danton, a theater director when the film opens. Winters has little to do but play the duped woman who eventually crawls back to her husband once Danton dumps her. Jane Fonda is the frigid Kathleen Barclay taken advantage of in a 1962 way by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Zimbalist's Paul Radford is so far over the line of discretion; someone should have pulled him back by his suit coat. Then again, back then nobody knew what the line was. The Winters and Fonda segments are barely watchable.
Glynis Johns (Golden Globe nomination) plays Teresa Harnish happily married to John Dehner's Geoffrey. Johns begins to question just how happily when she eyeballs a group of young men playing football on the beach. Johns takes a liking to Ed Krasky, played by the overly virile Ty Hardin, and she gets more than she bargained for when she convinces Krasky to pose for her while she sketches. The Johns segment comes off the best. Claire Bloom is Naomi Shields, an alcoholic nymphomaniac who can't control her desires as she encounters Chad Everett playing a water delivery boy and Corey Allen as Wash Dillon, an irresponsible musician of questionable upbringing. Bloom is always good and does what she can in her brief scenes.
Aside from the expected clichés of the period, the film suffices as superficial, high-gloss, soapy entertainment. The film is quite long at over two hours, but I guess that gives it time to convince us that Zimbalist Jr. is on the up and up; we even get to see him meeting Fonda's father. It is a bit funny though when he lectures Fonda about leaving the role of "Daddy's girl" when he himself is old enough to be her father as well. Viewers should look fast for Richard Mulligan (of Soap fame) as one of the jazz musicians, Grady Sutton in a bit part, a young Cloris Leachman as Miss Selby, and the dour Henry Daniell as Dr. Jonas. **1/2 of 4 stars.
Shelley Winters plays Sarah Garnell, married to Frank played by Howard J. Stone (Golden Globe nomination). Winters is currently involved in an affair with Ray Danton, a theater director when the film opens. Winters has little to do but play the duped woman who eventually crawls back to her husband once Danton dumps her. Jane Fonda is the frigid Kathleen Barclay taken advantage of in a 1962 way by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Zimbalist's Paul Radford is so far over the line of discretion; someone should have pulled him back by his suit coat. Then again, back then nobody knew what the line was. The Winters and Fonda segments are barely watchable.
Glynis Johns (Golden Globe nomination) plays Teresa Harnish happily married to John Dehner's Geoffrey. Johns begins to question just how happily when she eyeballs a group of young men playing football on the beach. Johns takes a liking to Ed Krasky, played by the overly virile Ty Hardin, and she gets more than she bargained for when she convinces Krasky to pose for her while she sketches. The Johns segment comes off the best. Claire Bloom is Naomi Shields, an alcoholic nymphomaniac who can't control her desires as she encounters Chad Everett playing a water delivery boy and Corey Allen as Wash Dillon, an irresponsible musician of questionable upbringing. Bloom is always good and does what she can in her brief scenes.
Aside from the expected clichés of the period, the film suffices as superficial, high-gloss, soapy entertainment. The film is quite long at over two hours, but I guess that gives it time to convince us that Zimbalist Jr. is on the up and up; we even get to see him meeting Fonda's father. It is a bit funny though when he lectures Fonda about leaving the role of "Daddy's girl" when he himself is old enough to be her father as well. Viewers should look fast for Richard Mulligan (of Soap fame) as one of the jazz musicians, Grady Sutton in a bit part, a young Cloris Leachman as Miss Selby, and the dour Henry Daniell as Dr. Jonas. **1/2 of 4 stars.
A Disappointing Waste of Talent
atlasmb31 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"The Chapman Report" starts out with promise but plummets with sickening velocity to a painful finish.
Dr. Chapman, renowned compiler of The Chapman Report--a survey of the sexual habits and mores of American women--plans to revolutionize the country by exposing the truths about women. He has an assistant played by Ephraim Zimbalist, Jr. and together they seek women who are willing to reveal their most private thoughts, as they sit behind a screen to protect their anonymity.
The film is really about four women, three of whom become subjects for the Chapman men. Otherwise, the report has no bearing on the story.
Kathleen (Jane Fonda) is a young widow who fears she is irrevocably sexually frigid. Sarah (Shelly Winters) is having an extra-marital affair because her marriage lacks romance. The kooky Theresa (Glynis Johns) and her husband consider themselves artistic and she is willing to go to great lengths to stretch her artistic "muscles". Naomi (Claire Brown) is a boozy brunette who hates herself for her lack of discipline and her nymphomaniacal ways.
We see Fonda emoting with great talent, especially since this is only her third film role. The characters develop, and it seems as if this will be a solid film. But gradually, the wheels fall off. The acting becomes very melodramatic. The characters act in ways not true to their natures. And the number of ways this film speeds past mediocrity into the abyss become too numerous to mention. Most of it is driven by horrible writing. I have never seen a film get progressively worse like this film does.
I suppose if you know that upfront, can you just enjoy its cheesiness. And you can try spotting some other talents: Cloris Leachman, for example. And Orison Whipple Hungerford, Jr. (aka Ty Hardin), whose biography in IMDb is more entertaining than this film.
The stories end predictably, due in part to Legionnaires disease, which is to say the efforts of the Catholic Legion of Decency. The film has no lessons to impart. Well maybe...no, I can't think of even one.
Dr. Chapman, renowned compiler of The Chapman Report--a survey of the sexual habits and mores of American women--plans to revolutionize the country by exposing the truths about women. He has an assistant played by Ephraim Zimbalist, Jr. and together they seek women who are willing to reveal their most private thoughts, as they sit behind a screen to protect their anonymity.
The film is really about four women, three of whom become subjects for the Chapman men. Otherwise, the report has no bearing on the story.
Kathleen (Jane Fonda) is a young widow who fears she is irrevocably sexually frigid. Sarah (Shelly Winters) is having an extra-marital affair because her marriage lacks romance. The kooky Theresa (Glynis Johns) and her husband consider themselves artistic and she is willing to go to great lengths to stretch her artistic "muscles". Naomi (Claire Brown) is a boozy brunette who hates herself for her lack of discipline and her nymphomaniacal ways.
We see Fonda emoting with great talent, especially since this is only her third film role. The characters develop, and it seems as if this will be a solid film. But gradually, the wheels fall off. The acting becomes very melodramatic. The characters act in ways not true to their natures. And the number of ways this film speeds past mediocrity into the abyss become too numerous to mention. Most of it is driven by horrible writing. I have never seen a film get progressively worse like this film does.
I suppose if you know that upfront, can you just enjoy its cheesiness. And you can try spotting some other talents: Cloris Leachman, for example. And Orison Whipple Hungerford, Jr. (aka Ty Hardin), whose biography in IMDb is more entertaining than this film.
The stories end predictably, due in part to Legionnaires disease, which is to say the efforts of the Catholic Legion of Decency. The film has no lessons to impart. Well maybe...no, I can't think of even one.
For Glynis Johns Fans Only. Period.
JLRMovieReviews18 September 2013
The Chapman Report is about sex and how it plays into the life of an average suburban housewife. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is a pollster for the survey, and he meets Jane Fonda, by way of interviewing her and then taking a liking to her. While they look like they make a good couple, they became boring with all their talk. Claire Bloom is interviewed, but she is anything but normal. While I knew that Claire Bloom is an exceptional actress, her plot ultimately disinterested and depressed me, despite the fact she has some Oscar-worthy scenes. Shelley Winters, another good actress, is another housewife. Her plot held some interest for me, as she becomes disloyal to her husband. But I ultimately felt unmoved by her plot and grew tired of it. The only person who really shines in this movie and gives it its only charm and bright spot is Glynis Johns as an artist. She sees Ty Hardin on the beach and is enamored by his body. She befriends him and convinces him to pose for her, but then, when she tells him what she really wants, something happens she didn't expect. At least, not in the way she wanted. If you're a Glynis Johns fan, then you must see this film. If not, don't bother. If you want to learn about sex, buy a book, ask a parent or better yet find a partner. Don't watch this.
Not terrible but pretty close
JasparLamarCrabb14 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Not terrible but pretty close. Sex researchers Andrew Duggan & Efrem Zimbalist Jr. come to town & send the women into a frenzy. Nymphomaniac Claire Bloom has a destructive affair with sleazy musician Corey Allen. Unhappily married Shelley Winters hooks up with local theater director Ray Danton. Beatnik artist Glynis Johns has a decidedly un-erotic run in with pro-football player Ty Hardin. Frigid young widow Jane Fonda ends up with Zimbalist! The acting is very uneven with Bloom coming off best. She's really tragic. Fonda is awful in this early role. Winters is Winters and Johns provides the film's (much needed) comic relief. Directed, blandly, by George Cukor. Featuring a lot of lightweight talent in the supporting roles. In addition to Hardin, there's Chad Everett, Jack Cassidy, and John Dehner. Harold J. Stone plays Winters' husband.
So dated its a comedy now
mls418218 June 2021
I think sone viewers will be offended by the archaic views of women's sexuality and putting them into categories. Why bother. It was trash 60 years ago. Fun trash if you view it as such. Have fun with it. Whether you are male or female, which character do you identify with?
Clair Bloom the nymphomaniac Jane Fonda FRIGID Shelley Winters the cheater Glynis Johns, obsessed with a Himbo
Enjoy! Sometimes you can find a copy on YouTube.
Clair Bloom the nymphomaniac Jane Fonda FRIGID Shelley Winters the cheater Glynis Johns, obsessed with a Himbo
Enjoy! Sometimes you can find a copy on YouTube.
Silly but entertaining
preppy-37 April 2016
A fictional movie based VERY loosely on the Kinsey studies of the 1950s. Dr. Chapman (Andrew Duggan) goes to a suburban California town to study women's sex behavior through interviews helped by handsome Paul Radford (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.). They meet young widow Kathleen (Jane Fonda) who is frigid and has a VERY protective father; Naomi (Claire Bloom) who is pill-popping alcoholic nymphomaniac; Sarah (Shelley Winters) a pathetic married woman who is cheating on her husband and Teresa (Glynis Johns) a happily married woman who decides to have a fling with young hunky Ed (Ty Hardin).
This is what passed for as adult entertainment in 1962. What was considered pretty risqué in 1962 is laughably tame today. The sexual talk is frank and kind of silly. This comes off as little more than a big-budget soap opera...but it IS entertaining enough. The acting is pretty good all around but Fonda comes off as a little shrill. Bloom is excellent her role but really--its beneath her. The same year she played a lesbian in "The Haunting" proving she was willing to take on risky roles. All in all a silly soap opera but entertaining.
This is what passed for as adult entertainment in 1962. What was considered pretty risqué in 1962 is laughably tame today. The sexual talk is frank and kind of silly. This comes off as little more than a big-budget soap opera...but it IS entertaining enough. The acting is pretty good all around but Fonda comes off as a little shrill. Bloom is excellent her role but really--its beneath her. The same year she played a lesbian in "The Haunting" proving she was willing to take on risky roles. All in all a silly soap opera but entertaining.
Sexual survey
bkoganbing16 May 2018
Andrew Duggan plays the title role in The Chapman Report, he's the doctor who
is conducting a survey of marriage from the women's point of view. Today there
ain't no way that he could do this and not use women interviewers.
Three married women and a young widow are zeroed in on and we see that all is not well in their relationships. The young widow is Jane Fonda suffers from frigidity. She won't let herself go with any man.
The other three don't have that problem. Glynis Johns who is an artist and a nymphomaniac has her story done for comic relief as she goes great lengths to get some alone time with Ty Hardin whom she eyes like prime cut in the butcher shop. Shelley Winters is involved in a long term affair with Ray Danton, cheating on her husband John Dehner.
Claire Bloom has the best story and The Chapman Report would have been a great film had it been just her story. It had the potential to be a stand alone story. Bloom has just allowed herself to be degraded and used by men. She has one real bad encounter and the results are tragic.
Overall the film is trash, high class trash to be sure, but still trash. This maybe the worst film that George Cukor ever put his name to.
Three married women and a young widow are zeroed in on and we see that all is not well in their relationships. The young widow is Jane Fonda suffers from frigidity. She won't let herself go with any man.
The other three don't have that problem. Glynis Johns who is an artist and a nymphomaniac has her story done for comic relief as she goes great lengths to get some alone time with Ty Hardin whom she eyes like prime cut in the butcher shop. Shelley Winters is involved in a long term affair with Ray Danton, cheating on her husband John Dehner.
Claire Bloom has the best story and The Chapman Report would have been a great film had it been just her story. It had the potential to be a stand alone story. Bloom has just allowed herself to be degraded and used by men. She has one real bad encounter and the results are tragic.
Overall the film is trash, high class trash to be sure, but still trash. This maybe the worst film that George Cukor ever put his name to.
Directed by George Cukor
arsportsltd21 December 2011
Daryl Zanuck and his son Richard Zanuck left 20th Century Fox and produced this film at Warner Bros. For the elder Zanuck it was a return to the studio he gained fame under Jack L. Warner.
I read that the Zanuck's cast the female leads while the film was in development at 20th Century Fox. Cast are Jane Fonda, Claire Bloom, Glynis Johns, and Shelley Winters the film is an adult expose of the morals of the 4 women the aforementioned stars portray. Lifting the film from the "B" Category is the fact legendary director George Cukor directed this film and Cukor's style and emphasis on Art Direction are obvious. George Cukor cast Warner Bros. stars Ty Hardin, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, and Ray Danton to be the male leads; Chad Everett has a small role. George Cukor is said to have been overwhelmed with Ty Hardin and threw much of the picture to that Warner Bros. star. Of all the players both male and female, it is Mr.Hardin who is presented most scantily clad. For an early 60's film Ty Hardin is showcased in brief bathing suit. Ms. Fonda known for her intelligent performances shines in this film, and I never recalled Glynis Johns-she of the unique voice-to be very attractive but in this film Ms. Johns is drop dead gorgeous. Glynis Johns scenes with Ty Hardin are the best in the film. George Cukor would remain at Warner Bros and direct My Fair Lady and win that long sought Oscar.
PS For all of Cukor's direction of Ty Hardin, the Men never worked together after this film.
I read that the Zanuck's cast the female leads while the film was in development at 20th Century Fox. Cast are Jane Fonda, Claire Bloom, Glynis Johns, and Shelley Winters the film is an adult expose of the morals of the 4 women the aforementioned stars portray. Lifting the film from the "B" Category is the fact legendary director George Cukor directed this film and Cukor's style and emphasis on Art Direction are obvious. George Cukor cast Warner Bros. stars Ty Hardin, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, and Ray Danton to be the male leads; Chad Everett has a small role. George Cukor is said to have been overwhelmed with Ty Hardin and threw much of the picture to that Warner Bros. star. Of all the players both male and female, it is Mr.Hardin who is presented most scantily clad. For an early 60's film Ty Hardin is showcased in brief bathing suit. Ms. Fonda known for her intelligent performances shines in this film, and I never recalled Glynis Johns-she of the unique voice-to be very attractive but in this film Ms. Johns is drop dead gorgeous. Glynis Johns scenes with Ty Hardin are the best in the film. George Cukor would remain at Warner Bros and direct My Fair Lady and win that long sought Oscar.
PS For all of Cukor's direction of Ty Hardin, the Men never worked together after this film.
Not much to report.
brefane9 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
A rarely screened curio adapted from Irving Wallace's novel which took off from The Kinsey Report. This trashy 1962 film is a shallow soaper which unfortunately is not in the same league as Doctors' Wives(71); being so unintentionally bad it's a must see. Like Doctor's Wives, The Chapman Report is a "woman's picture" based on a best selling novel directed without distinction by George Cukor who directed The Women('39) and won an Oscar for My Fair Lady('64). Topped-billed Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is a dull leading man, and even for a movie his character's professional behavior stretches credulity;he becomes involved with the frigid young widow he interviews. As the voluntary subjects of a scientific sex survey Jane Fonda is coltish and striking, Claire Bloom as a doomed alcoholic nymphomaniac has some intense scenes, Shelly Winters is dullest as a women involved in an extra marital affair while Glynis Johns comes off best as intentional comic relief. Chad Everett is young and handsome and Ty Hardin is a hunk though the men are as usual in these films are negligible. There are some unintentional laughs but, the Chapman Report on the whole is rather pointless and mostly of interest due to the people involved. Cukor claims the film was recut, apparently without his consent. No matter how you slice it, it's pretty thin.
Surprisingly narrow-minded
HotToastyRag25 June 2021
For a film that's supposed to lift the lid on female promiscuity, The Chapman Report is surprisingly narrow-minded. A thinly-veiled Kinsey Report follows researchers as they interview suburban women about their sex lives, focusing on four in particular: Shelley Winters, Jane Fonda, Glynis Johns, and Claire Bloom.
Shelley is a married woman cheating on her husband with the young, handsome Ray Danton. But it's clear the film thinks she's behaving badly and should atone for the pain she's caused her family. Jane is a beautiful, young widow who's afraid to admit she never enjoyed sex. Instead of taking an accepting tone (because there other things in life), or writing a series of escapades to allow her exploration with different types of men, the film takes the stance that only true love (and another marriage) will provide an enjoyable bedroom experience. Glynis is already happily married and has a great sex life, but with all the probing questions, she fears she's missing out on an adventure. This segment is the comic relief, making fun of her attempts at infidelity and never taking seriously the option of leaving her husband. Claire is the resident nymphomaniac, and while it is interesting to see her struggle with herself when random guys show up at her door, it's clearly bad behavior. She's just "the fallen woman" and her "continued falls" are clearly shown as a cautionary tale, rather than an option of how women can be as free as men.
I'm not touting free love or feminism; I'm just commenting on the dichotomy of the film's professed and actual message. The demise of the Hays Code promised loose morals without consequence, but The Chapman Report seemed to continually preach on the wages of sin. If you do want to rent it, though, you'll get to see a soapy, scandalous movie from the 1960s. Jane Fonda looks beautiful (of course) and Shelley Winters has a very effective emotional interview. And you'll never hear "Oh, for Heaven's sake!" the same way again, thanks to Glynis Johns.
Shelley is a married woman cheating on her husband with the young, handsome Ray Danton. But it's clear the film thinks she's behaving badly and should atone for the pain she's caused her family. Jane is a beautiful, young widow who's afraid to admit she never enjoyed sex. Instead of taking an accepting tone (because there other things in life), or writing a series of escapades to allow her exploration with different types of men, the film takes the stance that only true love (and another marriage) will provide an enjoyable bedroom experience. Glynis is already happily married and has a great sex life, but with all the probing questions, she fears she's missing out on an adventure. This segment is the comic relief, making fun of her attempts at infidelity and never taking seriously the option of leaving her husband. Claire is the resident nymphomaniac, and while it is interesting to see her struggle with herself when random guys show up at her door, it's clearly bad behavior. She's just "the fallen woman" and her "continued falls" are clearly shown as a cautionary tale, rather than an option of how women can be as free as men.
I'm not touting free love or feminism; I'm just commenting on the dichotomy of the film's professed and actual message. The demise of the Hays Code promised loose morals without consequence, but The Chapman Report seemed to continually preach on the wages of sin. If you do want to rent it, though, you'll get to see a soapy, scandalous movie from the 1960s. Jane Fonda looks beautiful (of course) and Shelley Winters has a very effective emotional interview. And you'll never hear "Oh, for Heaven's sake!" the same way again, thanks to Glynis Johns.
One hit, three misses
dinky-413 September 2000
This movie largely consists of four stories about four women involved in a sex survey. The stories involving Shelley Winters, Claire Bloom, and Jane Fonda aren't worth mentioning, but the episode with Glynis Johns works because it's played for comedy. Glynis is an aspiring sculptor who persuades a hunky football player to pose for her. Ty Hardin appears as the "jock" and while there's talk of him posing in the nude, nothing, alas comes of this. (Though he gets to appear bare-chested for long stretches of film and, boy, what a chest!) Glynis makes her scatterbrained character fresh and appealing and Ty shows a flair for light comedy that should have been explored in his later career.
Titilating At Times
nneprevilo12 March 2006
Movies about nymphomaniacs are always labeled "cheap and tawdry." Well, movies with these women as the focal point of these films are similar to the ladies who appear in porn (a multi-BILLION dollar business). Men are interested in these "strange creatures" with "weak flesh," who can't get enough sex, and the public is fascinated with them: Claire Bloom in "The Chapman Report," Merle Oberon in "Of Love and Desire," Suzanne Pleshette in "A Rage to Live," Joanne Woodward in "From The Terrace," etc.
We sit fascinated by them, but condemn them for the "illness" from which they suffer. To be frank, nymphos behave sexually EXACTLY like men (straight and gay). If hetero men had the opportunity to get the amount of stranger sex that "loose women" get, they wouldn't hesitate one iota. Straight men don't get nearly as much sex as gay men do, for instance. Why? Because str8 guys are dealing with "just say no" women. Gay men with the same mentality about sex as their hetero counterparts don't have the "woman factor" to hassle with on dates. A huge amount of gay men feel that sex on the first date is expected, not some hopeful wish. Some gay guys don't care about being labeled a "tramp" or a "slut." But women DO.
Yes, women like Claire Bloom, who are "suffering" with their nymphomania are sad creatures being taken advantage of by cruel, sex-hungry men who know their "condition," and cannot wait to take advantage, like the sleazy musician, Corey Allen and his band buddies, also, the water delivery guys in "Chapman Report." Or, Barbara Loden in "Spendor in the Grass," the rebellious sister of Warren Beatty, who acted like a tramp to defy her absent parents. She nearly got gang-banged during a drunken New Year's party. All these scenes are "titilating," but being Americans, we feel guilty and believe that we must dismiss them as "cheap and tawdry." They might be, but most viewers can't take their eyes off the screen.
The ironic thing is that hardcore porn is practically in every household in America, not to mention the rest of the world. We can be such hypocrites!
We sit fascinated by them, but condemn them for the "illness" from which they suffer. To be frank, nymphos behave sexually EXACTLY like men (straight and gay). If hetero men had the opportunity to get the amount of stranger sex that "loose women" get, they wouldn't hesitate one iota. Straight men don't get nearly as much sex as gay men do, for instance. Why? Because str8 guys are dealing with "just say no" women. Gay men with the same mentality about sex as their hetero counterparts don't have the "woman factor" to hassle with on dates. A huge amount of gay men feel that sex on the first date is expected, not some hopeful wish. Some gay guys don't care about being labeled a "tramp" or a "slut." But women DO.
Yes, women like Claire Bloom, who are "suffering" with their nymphomania are sad creatures being taken advantage of by cruel, sex-hungry men who know their "condition," and cannot wait to take advantage, like the sleazy musician, Corey Allen and his band buddies, also, the water delivery guys in "Chapman Report." Or, Barbara Loden in "Spendor in the Grass," the rebellious sister of Warren Beatty, who acted like a tramp to defy her absent parents. She nearly got gang-banged during a drunken New Year's party. All these scenes are "titilating," but being Americans, we feel guilty and believe that we must dismiss them as "cheap and tawdry." They might be, but most viewers can't take their eyes off the screen.
The ironic thing is that hardcore porn is practically in every household in America, not to mention the rest of the world. We can be such hypocrites!
chapman rept
mossgrymk21 July 2021
What's the first word that comes to mind when George Cukor's name is invoked? Tasteful, right? So why in the name of all that is sleazily, trashily holy is he directing this precursor to "Desperate Housewives"? (Shoulda gotten Blake Edwards or Frank Tashlin instead). The result, as could have been predicted, is an overly talky, undersexed bore.
It's still worth watching sixty (60) years later just to watch Glynis Johns sterling performance
Ed-Shullivan24 August 2022
Women from various backgrounds and with variances in their sexuality are on full display while opening up being interviewed by Dr. George C. Chapman (Andrew Duggan) and his protégé Paul Radford. Of course the film comes across somewhat like a soap opera but it is still worth watching just for actress Glynis Johns stellar performance. Glynis plays a happily married woman until one day while on the beach she comes across a young and muscular stud named Ed Kraski (Ty Hardin). In the process of attempting to seduce the young stud Eddie she is not prepared for the virility that Eddie reciprocates with.
This is a film that has been compared to other films from the 1960s but ignore the other reviews. I believe The Chapman Report is a good film well worth watching for the various character portrayals by both the female and male leads in the film.
I give it a worthy 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.
This is a film that has been compared to other films from the 1960s but ignore the other reviews. I believe The Chapman Report is a good film well worth watching for the various character portrayals by both the female and male leads in the film.
I give it a worthy 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.
Walk on the Kinsey Side.
mark.waltz1 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The loosening of the code made many studios stand up and become more daring in the subject matters they were tackling and the way they went about doing so. The 1960 novel seemed like it might be perfect adult cinematic fare, but the results are indeed just fair. The four women of the story are so completely different that they seem to be paper dolls pranced around like Ross Hunter movie heroines, generic and far from realistically fleshed out.
Jane Fonda, in fabulous hats, is glamorous but frigid, and she never really gets a chance to flesh her widowed character out because she obviously needs her own two hours to tell her story. Shelley Winters is a still beautiful woman, even if matronly, and she wants to be fawned over as if she was still 20. Husband Harold J. Stone obviously likes her a bit dowdy because he's a stay at home type anyway, so she steps out on him with Ray Danton who's still being presented as a gigolo to the point I'm surprised that no one ever cast him as Johnny Stompenato.
Claire Bloom is the most neurotic, scared of sex but addicted to it, a poorly designed character that is dangerous to herself and others because her sexuality is so powerful that it could snap her mind at any moment. The best of these four is Glynis Johns, so fascinated by the subject of Andrew Duggan's study that she wants to beca part of the study from start to finish, like a cheerleader screaming "It's about time!"
As directed by George Culor, it's certainly his oddest films, and I certainly couldn't see any of his MGM ladies in those roles. It's like he's trying too hard to be hep, and the film in trying to be daring just comes off as a dirty joke that just goes on far too long and ends up a lecture. I didn't find any of the men really interesting although they do get an opportunity at the beach to wear very little, where the ogling Johns (whose sexuality is aggressive, more like a man's would be) has a great view. She's the most refreshing element of this wanna be camp misfire.
Jane Fonda, in fabulous hats, is glamorous but frigid, and she never really gets a chance to flesh her widowed character out because she obviously needs her own two hours to tell her story. Shelley Winters is a still beautiful woman, even if matronly, and she wants to be fawned over as if she was still 20. Husband Harold J. Stone obviously likes her a bit dowdy because he's a stay at home type anyway, so she steps out on him with Ray Danton who's still being presented as a gigolo to the point I'm surprised that no one ever cast him as Johnny Stompenato.
Claire Bloom is the most neurotic, scared of sex but addicted to it, a poorly designed character that is dangerous to herself and others because her sexuality is so powerful that it could snap her mind at any moment. The best of these four is Glynis Johns, so fascinated by the subject of Andrew Duggan's study that she wants to beca part of the study from start to finish, like a cheerleader screaming "It's about time!"
As directed by George Culor, it's certainly his oddest films, and I certainly couldn't see any of his MGM ladies in those roles. It's like he's trying too hard to be hep, and the film in trying to be daring just comes off as a dirty joke that just goes on far too long and ends up a lecture. I didn't find any of the men really interesting although they do get an opportunity at the beach to wear very little, where the ogling Johns (whose sexuality is aggressive, more like a man's would be) has a great view. She's the most refreshing element of this wanna be camp misfire.
The four ladies make this well worth watching
jjnxn-117 March 2012
As a serious study of sexual mores this is pretty much a waste of time but as chance to see four terrific actresses at work with a director who was the best at drawing excellent performances from women it couldn't be better.
Glynis Johns is a daffy delight as a somewhat bohemian wife, Jane tightly coiled as a female frigidaire, Shelley quietly touching as conflicted woman who finds passion outside a marriage that has become staid and Claire Bloom profoundly sad as a very lost woman.
Its too bad they're playing off a block of wood like Zimbalist but ignore him and just enjoy the quality work turned in by the ladies.
Glynis Johns is a daffy delight as a somewhat bohemian wife, Jane tightly coiled as a female frigidaire, Shelley quietly touching as conflicted woman who finds passion outside a marriage that has become staid and Claire Bloom profoundly sad as a very lost woman.
Its too bad they're playing off a block of wood like Zimbalist but ignore him and just enjoy the quality work turned in by the ladies.
Kiss me Eddie you might enjoy it!
kapelusznik184 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
****SPOILERS*** In studying the lives of middle to upper class suburban women in L.A. for prominent psychologist Dr. George C. Chapman, Andrew Duggan, his horny assistant Paul Redford, Efrem Zimbelist Jr, got romantically involved with one his subjects the pretty but cool, as an iceberg, to sex Kathleen Barclay, Jane Fonda,that really screwed things up for the serious, in his work, Dr. Chapman. It was the other three subjects in Dr. Chapman's study that resulted into him re-examining his study that most women don't cheat on their husbands. The fact that Kethleen's husband Boy-not the Boy in the Tarzan movies-,John Baer, who was more interested in flying then in getting his rocks off or having sex with her was killed in a crash while flaying a fighter plane that broke up in mid-air which was a major reason her becoming celibate.
There's divorcée Naomi Shields, Claire Bloom,who after making it with the water-boy, Chad Everett, delivering Poland Spring Water later hooked up with band leader Wash Dillon,Corey Allen, who in fact was married with children. After she was told by Redford to straighten out her life she got fully involved with Dillon's band of beatniks in a midnight jam and sex session and ended up being gang raped by the band members after getting her drunk on whiskey and vodka and everything else in between. Hurt & humiliated by what happened to her Naomi ended up killing herself with an overdose of sleeping pills before the booze, that helped kill her, wore off. Another victim of Dr. Chapman's meddling in people's lives was actress Tereas Harnish, Gynis Jones, who being being interviewed by one of his aids ended up getting involved with beach boy Ed Karski, Ty Hardin, who while playing touch football on the beach-stripped down to his skimpy shorts-remained her of a Greek God she saw at a local art museum. Eddie who in Teresa encouraging him to have sex with her responded by him man not woman handled her so brutally that she ended up losing all interest in sex with him or any one else. And the last of Dr. Chapman's victims middle-age Sarah Garnell, Shelly Winters, who was cheating behind her husband Frank's, Harold F. Stone, back with her acting coach Fred Linden, Ray Danton, who was also married but estranged from his wife. In that by her getting mixed signals by him in how much in love he was with her ended up leaving Frank and planning to shack up with Danton at a swingers commune. Only to later-in less the an hour-come back crawling on her hands & knees begging Frank for forgiveness and for him to take her back! That's when she found out that lover-boy Linden was planning to drop her for a much younger chick, one of his students, and check out together with her to Mexico City!
Not as shocking as it was back in 1962 before the sexual revolution came into full swing and made the actions of those on the screen look like child's play in comparison.In fact the only good results out of this meaningless study by Dr. Chapman was that both Paul Redford and Kathleen Braclay the only two who seemed to be normal ended up getting married and hopefully staying together; Which is more then any of the other persons who were subjected to what turned out to be the very flawed Chapman Report, in reporting that as much as 97% of married couples in the USA didn't cheat on their spouse's, that ended up ruing their marriages and relationships as well as their very lives.
There's divorcée Naomi Shields, Claire Bloom,who after making it with the water-boy, Chad Everett, delivering Poland Spring Water later hooked up with band leader Wash Dillon,Corey Allen, who in fact was married with children. After she was told by Redford to straighten out her life she got fully involved with Dillon's band of beatniks in a midnight jam and sex session and ended up being gang raped by the band members after getting her drunk on whiskey and vodka and everything else in between. Hurt & humiliated by what happened to her Naomi ended up killing herself with an overdose of sleeping pills before the booze, that helped kill her, wore off. Another victim of Dr. Chapman's meddling in people's lives was actress Tereas Harnish, Gynis Jones, who being being interviewed by one of his aids ended up getting involved with beach boy Ed Karski, Ty Hardin, who while playing touch football on the beach-stripped down to his skimpy shorts-remained her of a Greek God she saw at a local art museum. Eddie who in Teresa encouraging him to have sex with her responded by him man not woman handled her so brutally that she ended up losing all interest in sex with him or any one else. And the last of Dr. Chapman's victims middle-age Sarah Garnell, Shelly Winters, who was cheating behind her husband Frank's, Harold F. Stone, back with her acting coach Fred Linden, Ray Danton, who was also married but estranged from his wife. In that by her getting mixed signals by him in how much in love he was with her ended up leaving Frank and planning to shack up with Danton at a swingers commune. Only to later-in less the an hour-come back crawling on her hands & knees begging Frank for forgiveness and for him to take her back! That's when she found out that lover-boy Linden was planning to drop her for a much younger chick, one of his students, and check out together with her to Mexico City!
Not as shocking as it was back in 1962 before the sexual revolution came into full swing and made the actions of those on the screen look like child's play in comparison.In fact the only good results out of this meaningless study by Dr. Chapman was that both Paul Redford and Kathleen Braclay the only two who seemed to be normal ended up getting married and hopefully staying together; Which is more then any of the other persons who were subjected to what turned out to be the very flawed Chapman Report, in reporting that as much as 97% of married couples in the USA didn't cheat on their spouse's, that ended up ruing their marriages and relationships as well as their very lives.
Bad And Not In A Good Way
spiritof6730 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I don't really care that Mr. Cukor's talent was purloined here in his possible pursuit of the male leads. And I don't care that this film was based on a not-very-good-but-popular novel. It's a lousy movie. It doesn't tell its stories well. It leaves huge holes in the stories of all four women involved, so much so that you never even see Shelley WInters' children though she mentions them numerous times. It wastes, really wastes a field of female stars that would make a marquee of that era sag: Johns, Fonda, WInters, Bloom. Not one is well used or directed here, and the misuse of Bloom is egregious.
Technically it is a well assembled product with a great soundtrack and some stunning clothing from Orry-Kelly, especially in Glynis Johns' case.
When you get to the "end" of this film you will as I did ask yourself how ANY of the stories shown here were actually concluded. Because as far as I could tell, not one was. That's Bad Storytelling 101.
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