The Paper Chase

The Paper Chase. 1973 20th Century Fox.
Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman
Director: James Bridges
Buy The Paper Chase at Amazon.

James Hart (Bottoms) is a first year student at Harvard Law School, and he gets tested right away on the very first day by the stern Professor Kingsfield (Houseman). Hart comes to simultaneously idolize and dread the professor, who has taught at Harvard for forty years, and is considered an authority on contract law. James joins a study group, and begins dating Susan (Wagner), who is the professor's daughter, although he doesn't know this until attending a party during the semester.

Hart and Kingsfield gradually develop a grudging respect for one another as the year progresses, as the professor views James as a prize student, but he would never acknowledge that in the classroom.

Recommended movie. This was actually John Houseman's film debut at age 71, and it earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He would also reprise his role as Kingsfield in the TV adaptation.