Pookie (1969)
"The Sterile Cuckoo" (original title)

Two students from neighboring colleges in upstate New York are swept up in a tragic romantic interlude calling for a maturity of vision beyond their experience of capabilities. Pookie Adams... See full summary »

Director:

Alan J. Pakula

Writers:

John Nichols (novel), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:

Liza Minnelli, Wendell Burton, Tim McIntire

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Liza Minnelli	...	Pookie Adams
Wendell Burton	...	Jerry Payne
Tim McIntire	...	Charlie Schumacher

Storyline

Two students from neighboring colleges in upstate New York are swept up in a tragic romantic interlude calling for a maturity of vision beyond their experience of capabilities. Pookie Adams - a kooky, lonely misfit with no family and no place to go, insists on calling all those who won't participate in her world, "weirdos," clings to a quiet studious Jerry, who has the ability to make a choice of living in Pookie's private little world or be accepted by the society that Pookie rejects. Unwittingly, it is through their awkward relationship that Pookie actually prepares Jerry for the world of "weirdos" that she doesn't fit into or wish to be apart of.

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Plot Keywords:

college | broken heart | dormitory | adult humor | bus | 

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Taglines:

First love is beautiful hurt....if it happens to you once, you're lucky.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pookie

Filming Locations:

Clinton, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boardwalk Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the original novel, the story takes place over three years. This was shortened to a single school year for the movie.

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Goofs

Takes place in Upstate New York over the course of an entire school year, yet the location is never snowy, even in December, when all the deciduous trees still have their leaves.

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Quotes

'Pookie' Adams: Apis mellifica - that's short for "bee", right?

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Connections

Referenced in L.A. Law: The Unsterile Cuckoo (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Greensleeves"
Traditional english song

User Reviews

A truly original, wonderful film!

This story of a strange girl falling in love with a boy who at first resists, then embraces her is a wonderful movie. Pookie Adams is unlike any character in any other movie I have seen. She is truly desperate for love and when she finds it she ruins it by holding on too tightly. This movie is heart- breaking because there is no way for the teenage lovers to find a happy ending. A sweet, touching look at first love that is not to be missed.