First, You Cry

First, You Cryis a 1978 Americanmade-for-televisionbiographicaldrama filmstarringMary Tyler Moore,Anthony Perkins,Jennifer Warren,Richard DysartandDon Johnson,directed byGeorge Schaefer.It is based on the 1976 autobiographyFirst, You Crywritten byNBC NewscorrespondentBetty Rollinin which she recalls her battle with breast cancer. The film was broadcast onCBSon November 8, 1978.

First, You Cry
Genre	Biography Drama
Based on	First, You Cry byBetty 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 correspondentBetty 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 MooreasBetty Rollin
• Anthony Perkinsas Arthur Heroz
• Jennifer Warrenas Erica Wells
• Richard Dysartas Dr. Brennerman
• Don Johnsonas Daniel Easton
• Florence Eldridgeas Mrs. Rollin
• Patricia Barryas Anne
• Antoinette Boweras Marsha
• Richard Crennaas David Towers
• Vivi Janissas Martha

Production

First, You Crywas shot from February 14 to March 16, 1978: exterior scenes were filmed on location inNew York Cityand interior scenes were filmed atCBS Studio CenterinStudio City, California.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
1979	American Cinema Editors Awards	Best Edited Television Special	James Galloway	Nominated
	Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Specials/Movies for TV/Actuality	George Schaefer	Nominated
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Movie		Nominated
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special	Philip Barry, Jr.	Nominated
		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 ofSaturday Night Livehosted byBea Arthur,in a sketch titled "First He Cries". In the sketch, a husband (played byBill Murray) is distraught over his wife's (played byGilda 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 filmFirst, You Cryin 1993 on VHS tape. As of this posting, the telefilm has not been reissued on DVD.

External links

• First, You CryatIMDb
• First, You CryatAllMovie
• First, You Cryat theTCM Movie Database