Inside Daisy Clover (1965)

Daisy Clover is a 15 year old Tomboy who dreams of being a Hollywood star. After auditioning for producer Raymond Swan of Swan studios she becomes the toast of Hollywood. Daisy must then ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Gavin Lambert (novel), Gavin Lambert (screenplay)

Stars:

Natalie Wood, Christopher Plummer, Robert Redford

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Natalie Wood	...	Daisy Clover
Christopher Plummer	...	Raymond Swan
Robert Redford	...	Wade Lewis / Lewis Wade
Ruth Gordon	...	The Dealer - Mrs. Clover
Roddy McDowall	...	Walter Baines
Katharine Bard	...	Melora Swan
Peter Helm	...	Milton Hopwood
Betty Harford	...	Gloria Clover Goslett
John Hale	...	Harry Goslett
Harold Gould	...	Cop on Pier
Ottola Nesmith	...	Dolores
Edna Holland	...	Cynara

Storyline

Daisy Clover is a 15 year old Tomboy who dreams of being a Hollywood star. After auditioning for producer Raymond Swan of Swan studios she becomes the toast of Hollywood. Daisy must then come to terms with her new found fame and the 1930's Hollywood star treatment.

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Plot Keywords:

movie studio | tomboy | beach | 1930s | singing | 

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Taglines:

A star at 15. A has-been at 17. Who says?

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1966 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Intimidades de una adolescente

Filming Locations:

Dijon Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Park Place Production, Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is an interesting movie for film buffs since many scenes feature shots in various areas and departments of Warner Bros. Studios, in Burbank, California. The actual studio appeared as the mythical "Swann Studios" in the film.

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Goofs

The film is basically one big anachronism, since it features 1960s fashions, hairstyles, and music in a story supposedly set in the 1930s.

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Quotes

Man on the beach: Hey, what happened back there?
Daisy Clover: [shrugs, yells] Somebody declared a war!

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Connections

Features Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916)

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Soundtracks

"The Circus Is a Wacky World"
(uncredited)
Written by André Previn
Lyrics by Dory Previn
Performed by Natalie Wood (dubbed by Jackie Ward)

User Reviews

Quirky view of Hollywood

This film seems way ahead of it's time, made in 1965 it's one of the first to show a darker side of Tinsel Town. Natalie Wood plays a tomboy who's plucked from obscurity and becomes a teen singing star. Her character is almost immediately jaded by the experience, manipulated by a studio head and a dubious male heartthrob, played by a stunning looking Robert Redford. Ruth Gordon once again stands out as the teen stars' mother. Christopher Plummer is excellent as the smooth studio head with Roddy McDowall as his cold assistant. Katharine Bard plays Plummers' wife, and her character is fascinating. She seems to float and flow when she moves and her character sums up the film's overall feel. Distant, detached and alien yet seething with anger and disappointment.

The problem with the film is that it's very dark in tone. That is to say the slick big budget production is overshadowed by a strange menace, highlighting the fact that the studio system was basically a people factory, uncaring and cannibalistic. Audiences at the time must have been very confused, expecting a light, breezy musical. Instead it's a realistic yet stylized downer, reminiscent of Valley of the Dolls, which was yet to come. There's very little genuine romance, sentiment or humor, just a steady flow of odd scenes.

This is one of those movies that many have never heard of, it remains obscure despite it's almost epic appeal. It's certainly worth a look, but just try to nail it down to any specific category.