The Paper Chase    

By Tom Keogh

This minor classic from the Super70s was a must-see for many years, and it remains a delightful and unusual comedy-drama. Timothy Bottoms plays a law student who becomes transfixed by a crusty but renowned professor named Kingsfield (John Houseman), a difficult teacher who routinely ignores underachievers. While other students wrestle with their schedules and the overwhelming amount of material to learn, Bottoms's character struggles with his frustrations to get Kingsfield's approval--which becomes more complicated when he starts sleeping with the professor's daughter, played by Lindsay Wagner. The film, directed by James Bridges (Urban Cowboy) struck a chord with audiences (and perhaps still does) who recognized in it the call to uncompromising excellence that separates serious people from not-so-serious people. But Houseman's wonderful performance certainly has a lot to do with its continuing appeal: the legendary producer (Citizen Kane) won an Oscar for the part.

Academy Awards

The Paper Chase received an Academy Award for Supporting Actor (John Houseman). The Paper Chase also received Academy Awards nominations for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium; James Bridges) and Sound (Donald O. Mitchell, Lawrence O. Jost).

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