The Love Machine (1971)

Interesting facts

• Based on: The Love Machine

The Love Machine is a 1971 American drama film directed by Jack Haley Jr. from a screenplay by Samuel Taylor, based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Jacqueline Susann. It stars Dyan Cannon, Robert Ryan, Jackie Cooper, David Hemmings, William Roerick, Maureen Arthur, Shecky Greene, Clinton Greyn, Sharon Farrell, Jodi Wexler, and John Phillip Law.

Production

Jacqueline Susann received $1.5 million (equivalent to $12.4 million in 2025) for the film rights to her best-selling book, a record sum for the time. She has a brief cameo in the film as a television newscaster.

Just prior to the start of filming, actor Brian Kelly, who had been cast as Robin Stone, was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. He was replaced by John Phillip Law. Although significantly taller than Kelly, Law was compelled to wear costumes which had been designed for Kelly, with the result that the ill-fitting clothes are apparent in the finished film.

The campy scene where Judith gets in a fight with Jerry and his boyfriend was a case of art imitating life for Dyan Cannon, who had had a backstage quarrel with gay co-star Dick Kallman while doing the play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. During one of their matches, Kallman slammed a door on her hand. She still has the scar on her finger.

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