Eli Wallach

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Lore & Background

The narrative of Article 99 unfolds at Monument Heights Veterans' Hospital in Washington, D.C., a government-funded facility grappling with severe cutbacks enforced by Executive Director Dr. Henry Dreyfoos. The story is set in motion when a patient named 'Shooter' Polaski snaps after receiving an Article 99 form, declaring him ineligible for treatment because his ailment was not service-related. Polaski crashes his car into the hospital entrance in a suicide attempt before being rescued by doctors led by Dr. Richard Sturgess. This traumatic event sets the stage for the conflict between the medical staff and the administration. The title refers to the legal loophole denying benefits to veterans unless their injuries are directly linked to military service, a central theme that drives the plot's tension.

In Their Own Story

Young doctor Peter Morgan arrives at Monument Heights intending a temporary stint before private practice but finds himself overwhelmed by the chaos. He witnesses Sturgess and colleagues Rudy Bobrick, Sid Handleman, and Robin Van Dorn defying Dreyfoos' policies through midnight raids on medical supplies. Morgan befriends World War II veteran Sam Abrams, a 'gomer' constantly moved to avoid discharge. When Morgan discovers a trap set by Dreyfoos involving stolen surgical tools, he becomes enraged after seeing the footage used to blackmail Sturgess into suspension. Following Abrams' death, Morgan finds the film evidence and declares open rebellion, leading to his own suspension. He joins forces with Sturgess and wiseguy veteran Luther Jerome to stage a hostile takeover, locking out security guards. As police surround the federal facility, an FBI agent and the Inspector General arrive; the latter reveals he is a Vietnam veteran and suspends Dreyfoos. However, the victory is short-lived as an unnamed replacement immediately reinstates the previous harsh policies.

Reader's Guide

Article 99 was filmed in Kansas City, Missouri, utilizing three floors of an older wing at Trinity Lutheran Hospital to depict the fictional Memorial Heights Veterans' Hospital. Screenwriter Ron Cutler grounded the script in reality, incorporating a scene where a veteran crashes a car into a hospital based on a real 1981 incident at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The film faced delays due to Orion Pictures' bankruptcy proceedings, pushing its release from 1991 to February 13, 1992. It premiered in Washington, D.C., as a benefit for homeless veterans hosted by Congressman Lane Evans. Critics compared its tone to Robert Altman's M*A*S*H, though reviews were mixed with a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, however, rated it a 'B+' via CinemaScore. The film opened at number six with $2.46 million and grossed $6.38 million domestically.

Did You Know?

• The film's title refers to a legal loophole stating veterans are ineligible for VA hospital benefits unless their illness or injury is related to military service.
• A scene where a veteran crashes his car into a hospital entrance was based on a real event at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center in 1981.
• The movie premiered in Los Angeles on March 6, 1992, not in Washington, D.C. as a benefit for homeless veterans.
• Despite the film ending with the suspension of the antagonist Dr. Henry Dreyfoos, his unnamed replacement immediately decides to continue the same cutback policies.
• The production leased three floors in an older wing of Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, to create the fictional hospital setting.

Career and Filmography

Eli Wallach appears in the cast of Article 99, a 1992 American comedy-drama directed by Howard Deutch. The film features a notable ensemble including Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Lea Thompson, John Mahoney, John C. McGinley, Keith David, and Kathy Baker. Produced by Orion Pictures with music by Danny Elfman, the project represents Wallach's work in the early 1990s alongside these prominent actors.

Plot and Thematic Context

The plot revolves around the Article 99 legal loophole which denies VA benefits unless a veteran's injury is service-related. This policy triggers a violent incident by patient 'Shooter' Polaski, leading to a conflict between doctors like Peter Morgan and Dr. Richard Sturgess against the bureaucratic administration of Dr. Henry Dreyfoos.

Production Realities

Production took place in Kansas City, Missouri, using Trinity Lutheran Hospital as the set for Monument Heights. The script included real events, specifically the 1981 car crash at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Orion Pictures delayed the film from its intended 1991 release due to bankruptcy issues.

Reception and Legacy

Released on March 13, 1992, Article 99 received mixed reviews (47% on Rotten Tomatoes) but a 'B+' from audiences. It opened at number six with $2.46 million and earned $6.38 million domestically. The film is frequently compared to M*A*S*H for its anti-establishment themes.