Lovin' Molly (1974)

Spanning nearly 40 years from 1925 to 1964, two Texas farm boys; straight-arrow Gid and laid-back Johnny fight over the affections of the beautiful and headstrong Molly Taylor, who ... See full summary »

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

Larry McMurtry (novel), Stephen J. Friedman (screenplay)

Stars:

Anthony Perkins, Beau Bridges, Blythe Danner

Cast

Cast overview:
Anthony Perkins	...	Gid
Beau Bridges	...	Johnny
Blythe Danner	...	Molly Taylor
Edward Binns	...	Mr. Fry
Susan Sarandon	...	Sarah
Conard Fowkes	...	Eddie
Claude Traverse	...	Mr. Taylor
John Henry Faulk	...	Mr. Grinsom

Storyline

Spanning nearly 40 years from 1925 to 1964, two Texas farm boys; straight-arrow Gid and laid-back Johnny fight over the affections of the beautiful and headstrong Molly Taylor, who consistently refuses to marry either of them.

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Plot Keywords:

texas | farm | heart attack | marriage | extramarital affair | 

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Taglines:

If there's a love story in you, this movie will touch it.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Molly, Gid & Johnny

Filming Locations:

Bastrop, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During a production lunch break, screenwriter Stephen J. Friedman spotted a hippie vagrant mooching from the food line, and threw him out. That hippie, Tobe Hooper, then wandered to Austin where he filmed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and completed it before "Lovin' Molly" was even released.

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Quotes

Mr. Fry: A woman's love is like the morning dew: it's as apt to settle on a horse turd as a rose.

User Reviews

Texas in Their Rear View Mirror

In 1925 Texas, lanky farmer Anthony Perkins (as Gid Fry) and chubby chum Beau Bridges (as Johnny McCloud) both want to marry beautiful free-spirited Blythe Danner (as Molly Taylor). The trio crawl in and out of each other's beds for nearly forty years. If you don't believe this can get unexciting, just watch them from beginning to end. The three leads often seem intentionally made-up to look unattractive; however, Ms. Danner has a memorable nude scene in the early running...

You wouldn't know to look at it, but "Lovin' Molly" stemmed from a story by "The Last Picture Show" (1971) writer Larry McMurtry and was helmed by "Network" (1976) director Sidney Lumet. Dramatic television veteran Edward Binns plays Perkins' crotchety father. Watch for a couple of (then) daytime television stars in small, featured roles...

Future big-league actress and "Rocky Horror" participant Susan Sarandon plays Mr. Perkins' neglected other woman, and Conard Fowkes (as Eddie) is a third man involved with Danner. A "flashback" scene with Mr. Fowkes reveals he has more "chemistry" with Danner than either of her leading men. Those familiar with his "Dark Shadows" role as the New England lawyer who helped Victoria Winters find Laura Collins' coffin will realize Fowkes' is the film's outstanding performance.

**** Lovin' Molly (4/14/74) Sidney Lumet ~ Anthony Perkins, Beau Bridges, Blythe Danner, Conard Fowkes