''Sixth and Main'' is a 1977 American

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by

Christopher Cain Christopher Cain (born October 29, 1943) is an American director, screenwriter, and producer. Cain was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1969, he married Sharon Thomas, and adopted her two sons, Roger and Dean. The couple's daughter Krisin ...

and starring

Leslie Nielsen Leslie William Nielsen (11 February 192628 November 2010) was a Canadian actor and comedian. With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters. Nielsen was bo ...

and

Beverly Garland Beverly Lucy Garland (née Fessenden; October 17, 1926 – December 5, 2008) was an American actress. Her work in feature films primarily consisted of small parts in a few major productions or leads in low-budget action or science-fiction movie ...

Plot

Monica (Beverly Garland) decides to spend time in the slums of Los Angeles to absorb the atmosphere for a book she is planning to write. She becomes interested in the tall, quiet derelict who calls himself John Doe (Leslie Nielsen), whose transient friends include an unlicensed doctor known as Doc (

Leo Penn Leonard Francis Penn (August 27, 1921 – September 5, 1998) was an American actor and director and the father of musician Michael Penn and actors Sean Penn and Chris Penn. Early life Penn was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the son of Russ ...

), a legless newsstand operator named Skateboard (

Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...

), and the heroin addict and hooker Peanut (Gammy Burdett). She trails John Doe to his home, a rundown trailer in a junkyard. She decides to rehabilitate him. She does not know that he was formerly a successful screenwriter.

Cast

''Sixth and Main'' stars Leslie Nielsen as "John Doe", Roddy McDowall as "Skateboard", Leo Penn as "Doc", and Beverly Garland as "Monica Cord". Other actors include Gammy Burdett,

Joe Maross Joseph Raymond Maross (February 7, 1923 – November 7, 2009) was an American stage, film, and television actor whose career spanned over four decades. Working predominantly on television in supporting roles or as a guest star, Maross performed in ...

Bill Erwin William Lindsey Erwin (December 2, 1914 – December 29, 2010) was an American film, stage and television actor and cartoonist with over 250 television and film credits. A veteran character actor, he is widely known for his 1993 Emmy Award-nomi ...

and Edwin Mills.

Production

''Sixth and Main'' is a 104 minute color film that was released through National Cinema in September 1977. Christopher Cain was writer, producer and director.

Critical reception

''Variety'' (31 August 1977) described it as a "very professionally made low-budgeter... The film is earthy without being vulgar. The ''Hollywood Reporter'' (31 August 1977) praised Chris Cain's skillful direction and Beverly Garland's acting, but said of the plot that it "waffles between wonderfully naturalistic scenes and whole passages filled with overwrought idealistic notions."

Citations

Sources

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External links

* {{Christopher Cain 1977 films 1970s English-language films 1977 drama films American drama films Films directed by Christopher Cain 1970s American films