Candy (1968)

Based on Terry Southern's satirical novel, a sendup of Voltaire's -Candide-. Young Candy is a high school girl who seeks truth and meaning in life, encountering a variety of kookie characters and humorous sexual situations in the process.

Director:

Christian Marquand

Writers:

Buck Henry (screenplay), Mason Hoffenberg (novel),

Stars:

Ewa Aulin, Charles Aznavour, Marlon Brando

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewa Aulin	...	Candy Christian
Charles Aznavour	...	Hunchback juggler
Marlon Brando	...	Grindl
Richard Burton	...	MacPhisto
James Coburn	...	Dr. A.B. Krankheit
John Huston	...	Dr. Arnold Dunlap
Walter Matthau	...	Gen. R.A. Smight
Ringo Starr	...	Emmanuel
John Astin	...	T.M. Christian / Jack Christian
Elsa Martinelli	...	Livia
Sugar Ray Robinson	...	Zero
Anita Pallenberg	...	Nurse Bullock
Lea Padovani	...	Silvia Fontegliulo
Florinda Bolkan	...	Lolita
Marilù Tolo	...	Conchita

Storyline

Candy Christian is an innocent young girl when she first hears NcPhito, an alcoholic Welsh poet, talk of love and self-sacrifice. Candy narrowly escapes McPhisto's attempt to rape her, only to succumb to her father's Mexican gardener, Emmanuel. When her father catches her with the gardener, he banishes her to a trip with his twin brother, Uncle Jack, and Jack's wife Aunt Livia, who are headed for New York City. As Candy makes her way to the airport, Emmanuel's three sisters attack her because she has corrupted their brother. Because of Candy, Emmanuel has now forsaken the priesthood. During the scuffle, Candy's father takes a blow to the head, resulting in a serious head injury. Candy nearly gives in to a General Smight on the plane in exchange for a blood transfusion for her father. In New York, an ego-maniacal brain surgeon Dr. Krankeit operates on her father, while Uncle Jack pursues his own operation on Candy. When Candy bashes him with a bedpan, Uncle Jack is put in her father's ...

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Plot Keywords:

hermit | california | gardener | sex | surgeon | 

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Taglines:

She's only faithful to the book.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Candy - hun er så fræk

Filming Locations:

Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Corona Cinematografica, Dear Film Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pamela Des Barres writes in her landmark book "I'm With the Band" that she, too, was considered for the title role.

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Quotes

Jack Christian: Hey, did you see this one on the first bike?
Livia: She looks like an ad in that magazine you get.
Jack Christian: Whips and Chains?
Livia: No, the other one, Leatherladies.
Jack Christian: Oh, you're right, she does!

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Connections

Spoofs Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Child of the Universe"
(Theme song)
Performed by The Byrds
Written by Dave Grusin and Roger McGuinn

User Reviews

Candy Lives Up To Her Reputation

As putrid as reputed, a singularity of excess. I loved it!

I do not know the details of Candy's production, but I suspect that the bulk of the scenes were shot with only one take. That is the only explanation I can conjure.

I only knew of this film by way of seeing the trailer at a drive-in in the 60s. The images sparked my 10-year-old imagination, particularly James Coburn flipping off the operating room gallery and the loud rock music. I had to see it! I finally found a limited edition DVD copy on eBay and snapped it up.