Hugh Wilson directed the comedy The First Wive's Club based on the 1992 book of the same name by Olivia Goldsmith .Paramount Pictures released the movie on September 20, 1996. Scott Rudin produced it and Robert Harling and Paul Rudnick wrote the screenplay.
The movie was a surprise hit with a star-studded line- up of actors. The three primary women were played by Diane Keaton. Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler. The younger women involved with their husbands were Sara Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Berkley and Marcia Gay Harden. The men were Victor Garber, Dan Hedaya and Stephen Collins. Maggie Smith had a wonderful role as society maven Gunilla Garson Goldberg as did Bronson Pinchot as Serge. Midler, Keaton and Hawn all celebrated their 50th birthdays on the set.
Bette Midler wanted to pursue a sequel but the studio balked, thinking that the success of this movie was a fluke. Nonetheless, it opened at #1 at the box office its first week and beat the competing action films in gross revenue. It cost # 30 million to make and grossed $182 million.
