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.

I'm not going to be as harsh on this film as some of our reviewers have been, because I think there's just one HUGE problem with it -- the casting of Gloria Grahame as the wife of psychiatrist Richard Widmark. It is the worst acting job I have ever seen in a film. So bad that not only should she have been given a Raspberry Award (had they been around in 1995), but she probably deserved the death penalty. Yes, her performance is that bad.On the other hand, in recent years I have come to respect Richard Widmark's acting more and more, and I thought he was excellent here. Lauren Bacall was good, as well, although she would have been much better for Grahame's role. Charles Boyer...well, the years were not kind to him in terms of acting; he is "satisfactory" here. Lillian Gish (who still had an active film career in the 1950s) has a humdinger of a rule here...perhaps a tad overdone, but nevertheless entertaining. Who cast the mentally ill Oscar Levant as a man suffering from mental illness; interesting that he accepted the role; it was once said of Levant: "There isn't anything the matter with Levant that a few miracles wouldn't cure". Tommy Rettig (the son in the "Lassie" television series plays Widmark's son here; a small role. I didn't realize it at the time, but the small role of Boyer's wife was played by Fay Wray ("King Kong"). Of particular note is the acting of John Kerr, who I thought was a very good young actor back in the day; he later left acting and went into law; here he effectively plays one of the patients.Key to the discussion of this film is the hanging of the drapes. Some people think it's ridiculous. I think not. Having worked in normal public schools my whole life, I've seen "normal" people go bananas over some mundane thing. What it amounts to is fighting over perceived "territory". So that such an issue would disturb the disturbed...I think is rather logical.So down to the nitty gritty: A highly flawed film due to the atrocious castings of Gloria Grahame, but otherwise a fairly decent film.

Interesting and Odd, this Movie is Much More than it Seems at First Glance. It is Rich with that 1950's Take on Psychotherapy and Plays it Very Serious but the Heavy Subject Matter Is Sidetracked, at Least on the Surface, with Much Ado About Nothing. The Drapes.It Can be Insightful at Times and is Ripe for the Picking it Apart Crowd that are Not Willing or Able to Read Between the Lines. It is a Product of its Time to be Sure, what with the Cinemascope and Mega-Cast of Big Stars, and it does Come Across Today as a bit Hokey and Melodramatic, but there is Some Vintage Gold to be Mined from this Film that Got the Shaft, both Critically and Financially.Some Good Performances from All Involved with Richard Widmark Trying to Steady the Rocking Boat Full of Passengers, both Patients and Staff, that are All Different Degrees of Neurotics. Gloria Grahame is Still Beautiful and Throaty, Lillian Gish Makes a Solid Comeback, and Lauren Bacall is a Pleasantry Among the Psychically Scarred.The Direction is Hampered by the Expectations of the 1950's, Cinemascope, and a Heavy Handed Score, but Vincente Minnelli Manages to Simmer this Heated Stuff with a Light Touch of Irony and a Heavy Dose of Professional Acting.Note...This Movie has gained some Retro interest among Film Buffs Today, and it has a Great closing line from "Stevie".

At last! - a movie featuring an All-Star cast who argue about, more than chew the scenery. This is because the main storyline involves how an upscale Nuthouse (okay, Psychiatric Clinic) will get new curtains installed in their lunatics' lounge. Chain-smoking head doctor Richard Widmark (as Stewart "Mac" McIver) favors letting the patients determine the décor for themselves; this would mean suicidal painter John Kerr (as Steven "Stevie" Holte) gets the job. However, Mr. Widmark's strangely neglected sexy wife, Gloria Grahame (as Karen), wants to get involved in the decorating. And, all clash with veteran administrator Lillian Gish (as Victoria "Vicki" Inch), who is already ordering the drapes. Only designer Cedric Gibbons could solve this one… Meanwhile, lovely occupational therapist Lauren Bacall (as Meg Faversen Rinehart) pines for Widmark, alcoholic doctor Charles Boyer (as Douglas "Dev" Devanal) paws Ms. Grahame, and patient Oscar Levant (as Mister Capp) sings "Mother". Director Vincente Minnelli has his players hold things up for the camera lens, and does nothing for newcomers Susan Strasberg (as Sue Brett) and Mr. Kerr. Ms. Bacall handles her sadly secondary role with poise. Grahame recites lines like she's being timed. Everyone is overwrought, with only Ms. Gish and Mr. Boyer seemingly able to modulate the totality. "The Cobweb" is enjoyable more for its cast than its story. "Lassie" owner Tommy Rettig and "King Kong" screamer Fay Wray also appear.****** The Cobweb (6/7/55) Vincente Minnelli ~ Richard Widmark, Gloria Grahame, Lillian Gish, John Kerr