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

Both Twiggy and Joey Heatherton were offered the title role.

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Quotes

Charlie the cop: Did you see what happened to the girl in the blue dress?
Jonathan J. John: Who directed it?

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Connections

References La Dolce Vita (1960)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Wildly enjoyable satire featuring an all-star cast

They don't make 'em like this anymore. Based on Terry Southern's classic novel, CANDY is remarkable film featuring a swinging soundtrack, actors like Richard Burton and Marlon Brando spoofing themselves, and a fast-moving picaresque story that satirizes late 60s America (military, academia, Eastern religion, etc). Criticized upon release for lack of any coherent story, is one of the best films from that era. Advocating sexual freedom and experimentation, Candy is one fun movie with a funny script by Buck Henry and wild visuals, like a glass-bottom limousine and Brando's gurumobile. A must-see!****