1968, Film: “Rosemary's Baby”

"Rosemary's Baby" premiered on June 12, 1968. This American psychological horror film was written and directed by Roman Polanski, it was based on the 1967 novel "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin. The main cast includes Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon and Maurice Evans. The film was produced by William Castle.

Roman Polanski envisioned Rosemary as a robust girl, and he wanted Tuesday Weld or his own wife Sharon Tate for the role. Since the book had not reached bestseller status yet, the producer was unsure the title alone would guarantee an audience for the film, and he felt a bigger name was needed for the lead. Patty Duke was considered for the lead but ultimately the role went to Mia Farrow, at the the time she was very popular as Allison MacKenzie in the television series Peyton Place and her unexpected marriage to Frank Sinatra had made her a household name.

John Cassavetes and Mia Farrow

Mia Farrow

Synopsis

When Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes) move into their apartment, they meet their neighbours, a very friendly elderly couple named Roman (Sidney Blackmer) and Minnie Castevet (Ruth Gordon). Guy begins to spend a lot of time with them and strange things start to happen. Then Rosemary becomes pregnant and she suspects that her neighbours have special plans for her child...

Ruth Gordon and Mia Farrow

Main Cast

• Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse
• John Cassavetes as Guy Woodhouse
• Ruth Gordon as Minnie Castevet
• Sidney Blackmer as Roman Castevet
• Maurice Evans as Hutch
• Ralph Bellamy as Dr. Abraham Sapirstein
• Charles Grodin as Dr. Hill
• Patsy Kelly as Laura-Louise

Sidney Blackmer and Mia Farrow

Awards

• Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress: Ruth Gordon (1969)
• Academy Awards, Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Ruth Gordon (1969)

Original Trailer

1974, Film: “A Woman Under the Influence”

"A Woman Under the Influence" was released on November 18^the 1974. It's an American drama film written and directed by John Cassavetes. The story focuses on a woman whose unusual behaviour leads her husband to commit her for psychiatric treatment. Main stars were Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk. John Cassavetes wrote "A Woman Under the Influence" when wife Gena Rowlands expressed a desire to appear in a play about the difficulties faced by contemporary women. The script was so emotional, Rowlands couldn't perform it eight times a week, so he decided to adapt it for the screen.

Synopsis

Mabel Longhetti (Gena Rowlands), a wife and mother, loves her construction worker husband Nick Longhetti (Peter Falk) and desperately wants to please him, but the strange mannerisms and increasingly odd behavior she displays while in the company of others has him concerned...

Main Cast

• Gena Rowlands as Mabel Longhetti
• Peter Falk as Nick Longhetti
• Fred Draper as George Mortensen
• Lady Rowlands as Martha Mortensen
• Katherine Cassavetes as Margaret Longhetti
• Matthew Laborteaux as Angelo Longhetti
• Matthew Cassel as Tony Longhetti
• Christina Grisanti as Maria Longhetti

John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands attending the 1975 Oscars

Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands

Awards

• National Board of Review Award for Best Actress: Gena Rowlands (1974)
• Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress – Drama: Gena Rowlands (1975)
• Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress: Gena Rowlands (1976)

Trailer