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''The Harrad Experiment'' is a 1973
coming-of-age Coming of age is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult. The specific age at which this transition takes place varies between societies, as does the nature of the change. It can be a simple legal convention or can b ...
film about a fictional school, named Harrad College, where the students learn about sexuality and experiment with each other. Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Robert Rimmer, this film deals with the concept of
free love Free love is a social movement that accepts all forms of love. The movement's initial goal was to separate the State (polity), state from sexual and romantic matters such as marriage, birth control, and adultery. It stated that such issues we ...
during the height of the
sexual revolution The sexual revolution, also known as the sexual liberation, was a social movement that challenged traditional codes of behavior related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships throughout the Western world from the late 1950s to the early 1 ...
, which took place in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movie stars
James Whitmore James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American actor. He received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Theatre World Award, and a Tony Award, plus two Ac ...
and Tippi Hedren as the married couple who run the school, and includes a young
Don Johnson Don Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He played the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series '' Miami Vice'', for which he won a Golden Globe, and received a Primetime Emm ...
as one of the students who tries to go beyond the rules. It was directed by
Ted Post Theodore Ian Post (March 31, 1918 – August 20, 2013) was an American director of film and television. Highly prolific, Post directed numerous episodes of well-known television series including '' Rawhide'', ''Gunsmoke'', and ''The Twilight Zo ...
. The screenplay, based upon Rimmer's novel, was co-written by
Ted Cassidy Theodore Crawford Cassidy (July 31, 1932 – January 16, 1979) was an American actor. He tended to play unusual characters in offbeat or science-fiction works, such as ''Star Trek'' and ''I Dream of Jeannie'', and he played Lurch on '' The Addam ...
and Michael Werner. A sequel, '' Harrad Summer'', was released in 1974.


Plot

''The Harrad Experiment'' is set in Harrad College, an experimental institution where students are encouraged to explore their sexuality and relationships in an open and honest environment. The story follows a group of students as they navigate the unconventional curriculum and confront their own beliefs, desires and insecurities. The film begins with the arrival of new students at Harrad College, where they are introduced to the school's unique program by its founder, Professor Philip Tenhausen. The program pairs male and female students as roommates, with the expectation that they will develop a deeper understanding of sexuality, relationships and love. The main focus is on four students: Stanley, Sheila, Harry and Beth. As they adjust to the program, each student faces personal challenges and growth. Harry, who is initially uncomfortable with the openness of the experiment, slowly begins to embrace the experience, questioning his previously conservative views on sex and relationships. Sheila, Stanley's roommate, struggles with her own insecurities and past traumas, but she gradually becomes more confident in expressing her desires and emotions. The two eventually form a close bond, moving from awkwardness to a deeper emotional and physical connection. Meanwhile, Stanley, who is more open-minded about the experiment, finds himself challenged when he is attracted to and sleeps with Beth, Harry's wilder and less traditional roommate. Both couples’ relationships force them to confront their differing views on love and commitment. Throughout the film, the students participate in various activities and discussions led by Professor Tenhausen, aimed at breaking down societal taboos and encouraging personal growth. As the experiment progresses, the students' relationships become more complex, leading to moments of tension, jealousy and self-discovery. The film concludes with the students coming to terms with their experiences at Harrad College. While some leave the experiment with a new perspective on relationships and sexuality, others remain uncertain about the lessons they've learned. The film ends with an open question about the impact of the Harrad Experiment on the students' future lives and relationships.


Cast

Appearing in uncredited roles are
Ted Cassidy Theodore Crawford Cassidy (July 31, 1932 – January 16, 1979) was an American actor. He tended to play unusual characters in offbeat or science-fiction works, such as ''Star Trek'' and ''I Dream of Jeannie'', and he played Lurch on '' The Addam ...
as a diner patron,
Melanie Griffith Melanie Richards Griffith (born August 9, 1957) is an American actress. Born in Manhattan to actress Tippi Hedren, she was raised mainly in Los Angeles, where she graduated from the Hollywood Professional School at age 16. In 1975, 17-year-old ...
and
Gregory Harrison Gregory Neale Harrison (born May 31, 1950) is an American actor. He is known primarily for his roles as Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates, the young surgeon assistant of Dr. Trapper John McIntyre (played by Pernell Roberts) on the CBS series '' Tr ...
as students, Melody Patterson as Jeannie, Dennis F. Stevens as a heckler at the Ice House, and George Memmoli, Bill Saluga, and
Fred Willard Frederick Charles Willard Jr. (September 18, 1933 May 15, 2020) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his work with Christopher Guest in his mockumentary films ''This Is Spinal Tap'' (1984), ''Waiting for Guffman'' (1996), ''Be ...
as Ace Trucking Company employees.


Home media

The film was released on DVD on May 22, 2001 by Marengo Films.


Production

Arthur Lubin said he was offered the chance to direct but turned it down as it had too much sex.


Reception

In ''
The Boston Phoenix ''The Phoenix'' (stylized as ''The Phœnix'') was the name of several alternative weekly periodicals published in the United States by Phoenix Media/Communications Group of Boston, Massachusetts, including the now defunct ''Boston Phoenix'', '' ...
'', Steve Vineberg reviewed the film negatively, writing, "It's more or less tailored to the suburban set who don't feel up to ''
Last Tango in Paris ''Last Tango in Paris'' (; ) is a 1972 Erotic film, erotic Drama (film and television), drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. The film stars Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider (actor), Maria Schneider and Jean-Pierre Léaud, and portrays a rec ...
''." He added, "''The Harrad Experiment'' can probably be summed up by its opening and closing sequences — it begins with one of the girls wandering around the new campus and hugging a tree, and ends with the two couples whose relationships are the heart of the film clasping hands, repeating some inane contact exercise, and finally falling into a four-way embrace." '' Time Out'' said that while Ted Post had employed long, "voyeuristic" takes and the theme music was poor, the film had more appeal than his other work and deserved its success.


See also

*
List of American films of 1973 This is a list of American films released in 1973 in film, 1973. Box office The highest-grossing American films released in 1973, by domestic box office gross revenue as estimated by ''The Numbers (website), The Numbers'', are as follows: ...


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Harrad Experiment, The 1973 films 1973 comedy-drama films 1970s American films 1970s English-language films 1970s teen comedy-drama films American comedy-drama films Cinerama Releasing Corporation films Films about educators Films based on American novels Films directed by Ted Post Films set in Massachusetts Films set in universities and colleges English-language comedy-drama films