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Walter Matthau, Jill Clayburgh, Barnard Hughes, Jan Sterling, James Stephens ... see more see more... , Joshua Bryant , Wiley Harker , F.J. O'Neil , Charles Lampkin , Lew Palter , Richard McMurray , Herb Vigran , Arthur Adams , Dallas Alinder , Nick Angotti , James Brodhead , Jordan Charney , Ann Doran , Bebe Drake-Massey , Hugh Gillin , Dudley Knight , Mary Munday , Bob Sherman , Wendy E. Taylor , Noble Willingham , Dick Winslow , William Clark , David Graham , Richard McKenzie , Joe Michael Terry , Edwin M. Adams , Olive Dunbar , Sig Frohlich , Dale E. House , Stanley Lawrence , Edmund Stoiber , Jim Vanko , Ray Colbert

The election of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court rendered the premise of First Monday in October anachronistic before the picture was even released; ignoring this, however, the film is supreme... read more read more...ly entertaining (no pun intended). Jill Clayburgh stars as Ruth Loomis, the first lady justice ever appointed to the Court. She's a conservative, while her principal foe on the bench, Dan Snow (Walter Matthau), is an old-line liberal. The film glides along on a predictable Tracy-Hepburn course until Snow comes to Loomis' defense when her late industrialist husband is accused of improprieties which might compromise Loomis' effectiveness. First Monday in October was adapted by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee from their own Broadway play, which starred Henry Fonda. Actress Martha Scott co-produced the film, while several other Hollywood veterans, including Herb Vigran and Ann Doran, dot the supporting case. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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44% liked it

944 ratings

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Ronald Neame

Release Date: August 21, 1981

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DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004

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Stats: 36 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (36)

  • LeoToTo2025
    June 4, 2008
    LeoToTo2025
    An uneven story and pairing of two great actors slows the pace of what is at times a funny film about the judicial system. Fans of Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh will be more enthralled than others. Still, funny one liners and comedic debates between the two stars will make th... read moreis a fun film to watch!!!!!!!
  • matricialynnicus
    March 15, 2008
    matricialynnicus
    Amazing dialog. Hysterical and thought provoking film about learning to respect your idealogical adversaries. (T)

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Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 31, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

First Day in October puts up front the precise comic timing of Walter Matthau as an outspoken liberal justice of the Supreme Court. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

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Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

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Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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Emanuel Levy
July 2, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Nell Minow
May 7, 2005
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

Rebecca Murray
November 18, 2004
Rebecca Murray, About.com

No review available.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

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January 26, 2006
Time Out

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