The Cobweb (1955): Cast & Plot
The Cobweb is a 1955 drama directed by Vincente Minnelli, starring Richard Widmark as Dr. Stewart 'Mac' McIver, Sandy Descher and Charles Boyer. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 4m (124 min)
- Director
- Vincente Minnelli
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Cobweb About?
The premise of The Cobweb without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in an eerie mansion perched on a hill, the film follows the residents and staff of an upscale psychiatric clinic as they argue over who will select the new drapes for the treatment rooms. The seemingly trivial dispute quickly reveals deeper tensions, power struggles and unsettling mysteries that plague the stylish institution.
The Cobweb Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychiatrist
- psychiatric hospital
- doctor
- private clinic
- medical director
- agoraphobia
- traditional sex role stereotypes
- police
- marital reconciliation
- domestic drama
- psychological drama
- dysfunctional marriage
+38 more Show fewer
- based on novel
- alcoholic
- doctor patient relationship
- attempted suicide
- chamber drama
- hospital administrator
- troubled artist
- chairman of the board
- secretary
- search party
- letter of resignation
- hanging curtains
- mental illness
- womanizer
- art teacher
- office rivalry
- marital infidelity
- nurse
- bored housewife
- self centered woman
- socialite
- workshop
- widow
- troubled youth
- wig
- employer employee relationship
- duality
- corporate tyranny
- family relationships
- movie date
- sexual harassment at work
- attempted coup
- screen printing
- implied sex
- board of directors meeting
- missing hospital patient
- medical drama
- melodrama
The Cobweb Cast & Characters
Richard Widmark leads the cast as Dr. Stewart 'Mac' McIver, with Sandy Descher as Rosemary McIver and Charles Boyer as Dr. Douglas N. Devanal. Directed by Vincente Minnelli; 47 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Vincente Minnelli
- Richard Widmark as Dr. Stewart 'Mac' McIver
- Sandy Descher as Rosemary McIver
-
Charles Boyer as Dr. Douglas N. Devanal - John Kerr as Steven W. Holte
Also Starring in The Cobweb
· 43 more- Oscar Levant Mr. Capp
- Gloria Grahame Karen McIver
- Lillian Gish Victoria Inch
- Mabel Albertson Regina Mitchell-Smyth
- Adele Jergens Miss Cobb
- Lauren Bacall Meg Faversen Rinehart
- Fay Wray Edna Devanal
- Susan Strasberg Sue Brett
- Paul Stewart Dr. Otto Wolff
- Marjorie Bennett Sadie
- Virginia Christine Sally
- Stuart Holmes Mr. Wietz
- James Conaty Concertgoer (Uncredited)
- Wilbur Mack Concertgoer (Uncredited)
- Roy Barcroft Police Lieutenant Ferguson (Uncredited)
- Leoda Richards Concertgoer (Uncredited)
Show all 47 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Oliver Blake Curly
- Murray Pollack Concertgoer (Uncredited)
- Ruth Clifford Mrs. Jenkins
- James Westerfield James Petlee
- Scott Seaton Board Member (Uncredited)
- Bert Freed Abe Irwin
- John McKee Deputy Sheriff (Uncredited)
- Dayton Lummis Dr. Tim Carmody (Uncredited)
- Lomax Study Waiter (Uncredited)
- Jan Arvan Mr. Appleton
- Kay E. Kuter Patient (Uncredited)
- Henry Sylvester Patient (Uncredited)
- Harry Harvey Jr. Messenger (Uncredited)
- Eve McVeagh Mrs. Shirley Irwin
- Olive Carey Mrs. O'Brien - Nurse
- Harry Landers Intern (Uncredited)
- Edgar Stehli Mr. Holcomb
- Tommy Rettig Mark
- Ed Agresti Barber (Uncredited)
- Myra Marsh Miss Gavney
- Norman Ollestad Usher (Uncredited)
- Jarma Lewis Lois Y. Demuth
- John Bennes Albert (Uncredited)
- Alvin Greenman Patient (Uncredited)
- Patricia Miller Telephone Operator (Uncredited)
- Lenore Kingston Switchboard Operator (Uncredited)
- Moria Turner Patient (Uncredited)
The Cobweb Plot Summary
What happens in The Cobweb from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Stewart McIver, [Richard Widmark], has stepped in to run a long-standing psychiatric institution, taking over from the aging medical director Dr. Douglas Devanal, [Charles Boyer]. McIver must tend to a diverse roster of disturbed patients, from the suicidal-leaning Steven (Stevie) Holte, [John Kerr], to the self-loathing Mr. Capp, [Oscar Levant]. His workload leaves his wife, Karen McIver, [Gloria Grahame], feeling sidelined and restless.
When the clinic needs new drapes for its library, Victoria Inch, [Lillian Gish], orders plain, unattractive ones. Karen privately decides to buy a more expensive and colorful set instead, earning the approval of Regina Mitchell-Smythe, [Mabel Albertson], but without telling her husband. The project becomes more ambitious when Dr. McIver invites the patients, especially Stevie, to design and create the drapes themselves.
Full summary
The whole story of The Cobweb, scene by scene
The Cobweb Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Cobweb.
How Well Do You Know The Cobweb?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrayed Dr. Stewart McIver?
Cars in The Cobweb
17 cars on screen, including the 1954 Chrysler New Yorker and the 1953 Ford Crestline Country Squire.
-
1954 Chrysler New Yorker Important role -
1953 Ford Crestline Country Squire Important role -
1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery Minor role -
1941 Dodge Panel Minor role
Seen The Cobweb?
Movies Like The Cobweb
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Guest in the House, The Patient and The Citadel.
The Cobweb FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Cobweb, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Cobweb?
The Cobweb runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was The Cobweb released?
The Cobweb was released on June 7, 1955.
Who directed The Cobweb?
The Cobweb was directed by Vincente Minnelli.
More films by Vincente Minnelli Who is in the cast of The Cobweb?
The Cobweb stars Richard Widmark as Dr. Stewart 'Mac' McIver, Sandy Descher as Rosemary McIver and Charles Boyer as Dr. Douglas N. Devanal, among 47 credited actors.
Does The Cobweb have a post-credit scene?
No. The Cobweb has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
