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Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
21 March 1962 (USA)
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Tagline:
Provocative Adult Entertainment more
Plot:
Drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown after many years of trying to make it in the movies. With...
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 2 wins
&
6 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Birthday Suits: Deserve's Got Nothin' To Do With it
(From FilmExperience. 22 November 2009, 10:47 AM, PST)
“The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond” Poster and Trailer
(From Filmofilia. 18 November 2009, 4:17 PM, PST)
(From FilmExperience. 22 November 2009, 10:47 AM, PST)
“The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond” Poster and Trailer
(From Filmofilia. 18 November 2009, 4:17 PM, PST)
User Comments:
A wounded bird, but still effective...
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Paul Newman | ... | Chance Wayne |
 | Geraldine Page | ... | Alexandra Del Lago |
 | Shirley Knight | ... | Heavenly Finley |
 | Ed Begley | ... | Tom 'Boss' Finley |
 | Rip Torn | ... | Thomas 'Tom' J. Finley, Jr. |
| Mildred Dunnock | ... | Aunt Nonnie |
| Madeleine Sherwood | ... | Miss Lucy |
| Philip Abbott | ... | Dr. George Scudder |
 | Corey Allen | ... | Scotty |
| Barry Cahill | ... | Bud |
| Dub Taylor | ... | Dan Hatcher |
| James B. Douglas | ... | Leroy (as James Douglas) |
| Barry Atwater | ... | Ben Jackson |
| Charles Arnt | ... | Mayor Henricks |
| Dorothy Konrad | ... | Mrs. Maribelle Norris |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
120 min | Australia:106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Geraldine Page was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award for Actress in a Drama for the play "Sweet Bird of Youth" and recreated her role in this movie.
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Goofs:
Errors in geography: The film depicts St. Cloud Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. In reality, St. Cloud is 80 miles inland.
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Quotes:
Chance Wayne:
Well, some more oxygen?
Alexandra Del Lago: No. No, I must look hideous in it.
Chance Wayne: Oh, no, honey. You just look exotic. Yeah. Like a princess from Mars or a... big magnified insect.
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Alexandra Del Lago: No. No, I must look hideous in it.
Chance Wayne: Oh, no, honey. You just look exotic. Yeah. Like a princess from Mars or a... big magnified insect.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Death Becomes Her (1992)
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Soundtrack:
It's a Big, Wide, Wonderful World
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (28 total)
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Even with some of the seamier elements removed and with the tweaks in the storyline, this film has great value due to the acting of the principals. Newman stars as a would-be glory boy who has repeatedly failed to make a success of himself and has been reduced to playing gigolo to various wealthy women. Page is a deeply troubled actress on the downside who gets dragged with him to his home town when he plans to get an "in" in Hollywood through her, thus convincing his old sweetheart (Knight) that he worth leaving her family for. Unfortunately, Knight's father (Begley) and brother (Torn) have not forgiven Newman for the fallout from one of his previous visits to Knight. The main thrust of the drama concerns the animosity between Begley and Newman and the balancing act he must maintain with the weary, neurotic Page. Widescreen viewing is a must even though the bulk of the film takes place indoors or on sets. Newman is excellent throughout and the film is offers a rare exploitation of his physical charms (attributes he often fought against during his earlier career.) Page is wonderful, running the gamut of emotions and investing her character with loads of quirks and moments of interest. Knight does very well, though her role is primarily decorative. Begley took home an Oscar for his bellowing, overbearing, vulgar portrayal. Also scoring are Torn as the son trying unsuccessfully to impress Begley and the always interesting Sherwood in a rare sexy role. Dunnock turns in a typically worrisome, effective performance as a Newman supporter. There are two small, but intriguing, gaffes in the film. In one scene, Begley and his cronies are watching a newsreel in a room filled to the brim with smoke, yet (because the image was superimposed later) the screen never has any smoke in front of it. Later, Newman "lights" his cigarette off an oil lamp, yet it doesn't light. He visibly notices this and does his best to cover it. Some of the symbolism is heavy handed (check out the wacky opening!) The film may disappoint devotees of the original play, but it's polished production and memorable acting turns make it a strong piece of work.