The Great Gatsby (1974)

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (novel)

Release Date:

29 March 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Gone is the romance that was so divine.

Plot:

A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his nouveau riche neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.

Plot Keywords:

Neighbor | Love | Tragedy | Lost Love | Obsession

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Jay Gatsby
Mia Farrow	...	Daisy Buchanan
Bruce Dern	...	Tom Buchanan
Karen Black	...	Myrtle Wilson
Scott Wilson	...	George Wilson
Sam Waterston	...	Nick Carraway
Lois Chiles	...	Jordan Baker
Howard Da Silva	...	Meyer Wolfsheim
Roberts Blossom	...	Mr. Gatz
Edward Herrmann	...	Klipspringer
Elliott Sullivan	...	Wilson's Friend
Arthur Hughes	...	Dog Vendor
Kathryn Leigh Scott	...	Catherine
Beth Porter	...	Mrs. McKee
Paul Tamarin	...	Mr. McKee
John Devlin	...	Gatsby's Bodyguard
Patsy Kensit	...	Pamela Buchanan
Marjorie Wildes	...	Pamela's Nurse
Blain Fairman	...	Policeman (as Blain Fajrman)
Bob Sherman	...	Detective at Pool
Norman Chancer	...	Detective at Pool (as Norman Chauncer)
Regina Baff	...	Miss Baedeker
Janet Arters	...	A Twin at Gatsby Party
Louise Arters	...	A Twin at Gatsby Party
Sammy Smith	...	Comic
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brooke Adams	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
James Berwick	...	Reverend (uncredited)
Sean Collins	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Tom Ewell	...	Mourner (uncredited)
John Franchi	...	Photographer (uncredited)
Linda Hamil	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Duncan Inches	...	Party Staffer (uncredited)
Nick Lucas	...	Singer (uncredited)
Jerry Mayer	...	New York Journal Reporter (uncredited)
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Thin Man (uncredited)
Mildred Shay	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Charles Silvern	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Jack Clayton

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Francis Ford Coppola		screenplay
F. Scott Fitzgerald		novel

Produced by
David Merrick	....	producer
Hank Moonjean	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Douglas Slocombe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Tom Priestley

Production Design by
John Box

Art Direction by
Robert W. Laing		(as Robert Laing)
Gene Rudolf		(as Eugene Rudolf)

Set Decoration by
Peter Howitt
Herbert F. Mulligan		(as Herb Mulligan)

Costume Design by
Theoni V. Aldredge

Makeup Department
Ramon Gow	....	hair stylist
Gary Liddiard	....	makeup artist
Charles E. Parker	....	makeup artist (as Charles Parker)

Production Management
Norman I. Cohen	....	production manager
Peter Price	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alex Hapsas	....	assistant director
David Tringham	....	assistant director
Michael Green	....	third assistant director (uncredited)
Nigel Wooll	....	second assistant director: Europe (uncredited)

Art Department
Bruno Robotti	....	charge scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ken Barker	....	sound recordist
Terry Rawlings	....	sound editor
Brian Simmons	....	sound mixer
Rowland Fowles	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Graham V. Hartstone	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Otto Snel	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Tony Parmelee	....	special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Robin Vidgeon	....	assistant cameraman
Chic Waterson	....	camera operator
Richard E. Brooks	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Ron Zarilla	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Irene Lamb	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Barbara Matera	....	costumes executed by (uncredited)

Music Department
Nelson Riddle	....	composer: additional music
Nelson Riddle	....	conductor
Nelson Riddle	....	music arranger
Nelson Riddle	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Annabel Davis-Goff	....	script supervisor
Mary Jane Houdina	....	assistant choreographer
Terry Rawlings	....	technical consultant
Jeanie Sims	....	assistant: Jack Clayton
Tony Stevens	....	choreographer
Robert Iadevaia	....	fruit supplier (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures
• Newdon Productions

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1974) (France) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1975) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Home Video (1984) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Filmes do Brasil (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Barbara Matera Ltd.  women's wardrobe
• Cartier  jewelry
• Marion Dougherty Associates  casting
• Panavision  filming equipment
• Ralph Lauren  men's wardrobe
• Woody Shelp  womens' hats

Also Known As:

Runtime:

144 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | UK:12 (re-rating) (2003) | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Cybill Shepherd was considered for the role of Daisy Buchanan, but she refused to submit to a screen test.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The puppy that Tom buys Myrtle ages at least 6 months by the time it gets to the apartment.

Quotes:

Daisy Buchanan:Nick? Is it really you?
Nick Carraway:It is.
Daisy Buchanan:My old love! I'm paralyzed with happiness!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Special Collector's Edition: Serpico (#5.12)" (2013)

Soundtrack:

What'll I Do?

Disturbing story of idle-rich during the Roaring 20s

This lavish Hollywood treatment of the Classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel is a visual and acoustic delight. Nelson Riddle's spellbinding score and the many brilliant camera shots capturing the splendor of an age of excesses and indulgences make for engaging entertainment. Still, the dark story will leave the viewer numb at the eventual (bitter) end. A young Mia Farrow and Robert Redford in the leads, along with excellent performances by Scott Wilson and Bruce Dern, as well as the 70s "femme fatal" staple Karen Black round out the top, with what seems to be hundreds of colorful "flapper" and servant extras in the cast. Everyone fortunate enough to be born or married or mistressed into money is living the "life", not caring about anyone and anything other than fun, fun, fun.

A series of indiscretions (by just about everyone) culminates in the "just desserts", and several deaths. The fact that life of the high and mighty seems to go on without skipping a beat, regardless of anyone's recklessness or involvement, is the tough lesson the author seems to aim for. Without conscience, what have we? All the money will not replace human emotions, though the cash seems to easily take their place. But didn't we have fun....