First, You Cry

First, You Cry is a 1978 American made-for-television biographical drama film starring Mary Tyler Moore, Anthony Perkins, Jennifer Warren, Richard Dysart and Don Johnson, directed by George Schaefer. It is based on the 1976 autobiography First, You Cry written by NBC News correspondent Betty Rollin in which she recalls her battle with breast cancer. The film was broadcast on CBS on November 8, 1978.^[1]

First, You Cry
Genre	Biography Drama
Based on	First, You Cry by Betty Rollin
Written by	Carmen Culver
Directed by	George Schaefer
Starring	Mary Tyler Moore Anthony Perkins Jennifer Warren Richard Dysart Don Johnson
Music by	Peter Matz
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Philip Barry Jr.
Production locations	New York City CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California
Cinematography	Edward R. Brown
Editor	James Galloway
Running time	100 minutes
Production companies	Company Four MTM Enterprises
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	November 8, 1978 (1978-11-08)

Synopsis

TV news correspondent Betty Rollin (Moore) is giving a television report on the dangers of breast cancer, hoping that it will make women more aware of preventative measures. At home, Betty's husband Arthur Heroz(Perkins), a successful author, comments on how a lump in Betty's left breast has grown appreciably harder since she had it examined some time ago. Betty promises to make a follow-up exam. The subsequent checkup, however, leads to a diagnosis of cancer. Following a period of fear and denial, Betty agrees to a biopsy, which, due to the cancer's spread, leads to an immediate mastectomy. Upon leaving the hospital, Betty tries to deal with her varied emotions, along with those of her self-involved spouse, former lover, mother and friends. When she can't perform simple tasks like putting on a robe, Betty falls into depression. She sees herself as "damaged goods", leading to dramatic intimacy issues with Arthur.

Betty returns to work, but feels only awkwardness with colleagues. Things worsen when Betty finally looks at her scar, and assumes that all men will now be repulsed by her body. When husband Arthur becomes increasingly distant, she reunites with former beau David (Crenna). She goes to live with him in Philadelphia, quitting her job and leaving her friends behind. After a period of bliss, however, Betty still finds herself unhappy. She then decides to write a book about her travails, leading to an overhaul of her life, both professionally and personally.

Cast

• Mary Tyler Moore as Betty Rollin
• Anthony Perkins as Arthur Heroz
• Jennifer Warren as Erica Wells
• Richard Dysart as Dr. Brennerman
• Don Johnson as Daniel Easton
• Florence Eldridge as Mrs. Rollin
• Patricia Barry as Anne
• Antoinette Bower as Marsha
• Richard Crenna as David Towers
• Vivi Janiss as Martha

Production

First, You Cry was shot from February 14 to March 16, 1978: exterior scenes were filmed on location in New York City and interior scenes were filmed at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
1979	American Cinema Editors Awards	Best Edited Television Special	James Galloway	Nominated	[2]
	Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Specials/Movies for TV/Actuality	George Schaefer	Nominated	[3]
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Movie		Nominated	[4]
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special	Philip Barry, Jr.	Nominated	[5]
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special	Mary Tyler Moore	Nominated
		Outstanding Film Editing for a Limited Series or Special	James Galloway	Nominated
		Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series or a Special	Peter Matz	Nominated

In popular culture

The film was parodied on the November 17, 1979 episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Bea Arthur, in a sketch titled "First He Cries". In the sketch, a husband (played by Bill Murray) is distraught over his wife's (played by Gilda Radner) mastectomy. The sketch was controversial and received over 200 calls and 300 letters of complaint. Betty Rollin herself wrote a letter in support of the sketch.

Home Media

MTM Home Video released the film First, You Cry in 1993 on VHS tape. As of this posting, the telefilm has not been reissued on DVD.

References

1. "Harper Collins". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
2. "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
3. "31st DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
4. "First, You Cry – Golden Globes". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
5. "First, You Cry". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2023.

External links

• First, You Cry at IMDb
• First, You Cry at AllMovie
• First, You Cry at the TCM Movie Database