IMDb > The Day of the Locust (1975)
The Day of the Locust
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The Day of the Locust (1975) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   1,984 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Nathanael West (novel)
Waldo Salt (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Day of the Locust on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 August 1975 (France) more
Genre:
Tagline:
By train. By car. By bus. They came to Hollywood... In search of a dream. more
Plot:
An art director in the 1930's falls in love and attempts to make a young woman an actress despite Hollywood who wants nothing to do with her because of her problems with an estranged man and her acoholic father. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
A truly terrifying look at Hollywood more (51 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Donald Sutherland ... Homer Simpson
Karen Black ... Faye Greener
Burgess Meredith ... Harry Greener

William Atherton ... Tod Hackett

Geraldine Page ... Big Sister
Richard Dysart ... Claude Estee
Bo Hopkins ... Earle Shoop
Pepe Serna ... Miguel
Lelia Goldoni ... Mary Dove

Billy Barty ... Abe Kusich

Jackie Earle Haley ... Adore (as Jackie Haley)
Gloria LeRoy ... Mrs. Loomis (as Gloria Le Roy)
Jane Hoffman ... Mrs. Odlesh

Norman Leavitt ... Mr. Odlesh (as Norm Leavitt)
Madge Kennedy ... Mrs. Johnson
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Additional Details

Runtime:
144 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Betty Field was originally cast in the role of Big Sister but died shortly before filming began. Geraldine Page replaced her. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mrs. Odlesh: It isn't as splashy as some other places, but we pride ourselves on being a little classier.
Tod Hackett: [referring to a large crack in the plaster wall] Hmmm, the crack's real.
Mrs. Odlesh: Oh yes. We call this our earthquake cottage. Mrs. Porter had occupancy then. During the big one in '33. Property damage ran into the millions.
Tod Hackett: Will you fix it if I stayed for a while?
Mrs. Odlesh: Oh no! No! This is our showplace. Mrs. Porter wouldn't let us touch that wall. She worked that sampler herself to cover over the hole. Alrighty. I hope you'll be very happy here.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
JEEPERS CREEPERS more

FAQ

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13 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
A truly terrifying look at Hollywood, 19 April 2007
9/10
Author: zoeyneo from United States

The Day of the Locust takes place in one of the most bizarre settings to have ever existed in the real world. Hollywood in the 1930s was a place of grand illusions, with an incredible power to change people's lives for the better, or for the worse. The relics of that time are, for the most part, the films that were churned out on sound stages, generally very wholesome and carefree. The reality of what went on offstage is largely a mystery, although it is safe to assume it wasn't all glamor and good times. The Day of the Locust is dark historical fiction, and is utterly fascinating. It is a journey through Hollywood's golden age, guided by someone who comes to Hollywood a typical dream seeker, who finds himself helpless under the pressure of the industry and the misleading tactics of those who rule the screen. The characters that come in and out of his life are caricatures of the aspiring actresses, child stars, and crew members that help make Hollywood truly troubled and deeply strange.

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