IMDb > Charly (1968)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   2,438 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

Daniel Keyes (short story "Flowers for Algernon")
Stirling Silliphant (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for Charly on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

23 September 1968 (USA) more

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi more

Tagline:

A less than ordinary man is turned into a genius. He awakens to an exquisite love experience, but at an impossible price for CHARLY more

Plot:

A retarded man undergoes an experiment that gives him the intelligence of a genius. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(8 articles)

Will Smith To Star In “Flowers For Algernon” Remake?
 (From Filmofilia. 11 November 2009, 1:35 PM, PST)

Smith to star in Flowers for Algernon
 (From Reel Loop. 11 November 2009, 3:10 AM, PST)

User Comments:

Sometimes a Deal Too Good to Be True Is. more (48 total)


Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Cliff Robertson ... Charly Gordon
Claire Bloom ... Alice Kinian

Lilia Skala ... Dr. Anna Straus
Leon Janney ... Dr. Richard Nemur
Ruth White ... Mrs. Apple

Dick Van Patten ... Bert (as Richard Van Patten)
Edward McNally ... Gimpy (as Skipper McNally)
Barney Martin ... Hank
William Dwyer ... Joey
Dan Morgan ... Paddy
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:

The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon (USA) (working title)
more

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Company:

ABC Pictures more


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Cliff Robertson saw more than one TV production he'd starred in turned into hit movies with other actors (such as Days of Wine and Roses (1962)), so when he starred in the 1961 "The United States Steel Hour" (1953) production of "The Two Worlds of Charlie Gordon," based on the novel "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, he bought the rights and later was responsible for turning that story into this film. more

Goofs:

Continuity: When Charly comes back to his room, disgusted that he had been beaten by a mouse one too many times, he throws his hat onto the dresser where it falls to the floor. Moments later he leaves, and the hat is back on top of the dresser. more

Quotes:

Charly Gordon: What's enough love?
Alice Kinnian: Always a little more than anyone ever gets.
more

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ernest Goes to School (1994) more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Sometimes a Deal Too Good to Be True Is., 13 August 2004
Author: tfrizzell from United States

Strange little over-achiever has that 1960s psycho-crazed style that seems a bit over the top and sometimes like a lot of overkill. A mentally challenged man (Oscar-winner Cliff Robertson) tries to improve his intelligence with the help of a beautiful doctor (Claire Bloom) and experimental scientists who have successfully increased the thought capabilities of a lab mouse. Soon Robertson is to be their guinea pig, but could it be possible that the treatment might make the titled character too smart? And is the experiment as perfect as it seems on first glance? Robertson's dynamic role is the true key to this tone-deaf curiosity as he literally plays his part as multiple personalities. Everything else, including the direction and the script, is just window-dressing. The movie wants to question the relationship between God and science but its style makes that potential point go flying out the window. The possible romantic connection between Robertson and Bloom feels forced and detrimental to the overall effectiveness of the picture. 4 stars out of 5.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Charly (1968)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Dr. Strauss... xxjenaxx06
Yoda on Charlys painting lensver-jakuza
The novel (Flowers for Algernon) can be read online eva25at
Am I the only one who likes the split-screen effects? betaman8
Is there a book too? whee_snaw343
odd naming handlernator
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