Gloria (1980)

Mild mannered Jack Dawn has been secretly working as an accountant for the mob. He, his Puerto Rican wife Jeri, his teen-aged daughter Joan and his mother-in-law, all who were planning on ... See full summary »

Director:

John Cassavetes

Writer:

John Cassavetes

Stars:

Julie Carmen, Tony Knesich, Buck Henry

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Carmen	...	Jeri Dawn
Tony Knesich	...	1st Man - Gangster
Gregory Cleghorne	...	Kid in Elevator
Buck Henry	...	Jack Dawn
John Adames	...	Phil Dawn
Lupe Garnica	...	Margarita Vargas
Jessica Castillo	...	Joan Dawn
Tom Noonan	...	2nd Man - Gangster
Ronald Maccone	...	3rd Man - Gangster
George Yudzevich	...	Heavy Set Man
Gena Rowlands	...	Gloria Swenson
Gary Howard Klar	...	Irish Cop (as Gary Klar)
William E. Rice	...	TV Newscaster
Frank Belgiorno	...	Riverside Drive Man #5
J.C. Quinn	...	Riverside Drive Man #4

Storyline

Mild mannered Jack Dawn has been secretly working as an accountant for the mob. He, his Puerto Rican wife Jeri, his teen-aged daughter Joan and his mother-in-law, all who were planning on going on the run, are murdered by the mob because Jack was going to inform on them to the FBI. Before they're killed, Jack and Jeri are able to send their six-year old son Phil to Jeri's friend and their neighbor, Gloria Swenson, for safe keeping. Also with Phil is the book which contains all the information Jack was going to turn over. Gloria and Phil have an antagonistic relationship, not so much for who they are but what they are, Phil a kid, and Gloria a strange white woman who hates kids. As an ex-mistress of a mobster, Gloria learns that the people that killed the Dawns are old friends of hers. As Gloria and Phil go on the run both from the mob and from the authorities (who believe she kidnapped Phil) throughout New York City, Gloria has to come up with a plan on how best to save themselves, ...

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Plot Keywords:

puerto rican | new york city | neighbor | gangster | witness | 

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Taglines:

And she's out to beat the mob at their own game.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Glória

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title character's name Gloria Swenson, is almost identical to that of actress Gloria Swanson.

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Quotes

Gloria Swenson: In exactly twenty seconds I'm going to start shooting through that door, so get down on your stomachs!
Phil Dawn: Gloria, what are you doing?
Gloria Swenson: I'm saving your life, stupid.

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Connections

Referenced in Léon: The Professional (1994)

User Reviews

"I am the man! I am the man!"

This film's cinematography and musical score captures the seedy underbelly of 1970's New York City in the same way "Taxi Driver" and "The French Connection" do. Gloria takes on the mob after they murder her friend's family and seek out the little boy who Gloria helped escape his families execution and who hold's a valuable item. The unlikely pair weave through the streets of NYC until they figure out what to do. Some great Stylistic suspense throughout. Directed and written by the late John Cassavetes.

Don't waste your time on Sharon Stone's remake - this is the one to see.