On Golden Pond (1981)

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their ... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

Ernest Thompson (screenplay), Ernest Thompson (based on his play)

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda

Won 3 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Ethel Thayer
Henry Fonda	...	Norman Thayer Jr.
Jane Fonda	...	Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Doug McKeon	...	Billy Ray
Dabney Coleman	...	Bill Ray
William Lanteau	...	Charlie Martin
Christopher Rydell	...	Sumner Todd (as Chris Rydell)

Storyline

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea -- whom they haven't seen for years -- feels she must be there for Norman's birthday. She and her fiance are on their way to Europe the next day but will be back in a couple of weeks to pick up the fiance's son. When she returns Chelsea is married and her stepson has the relationship with her father that she always wanted. Will father and daughter be able to communicate at last?

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Plot Keywords:

summer | cottage | marriage | old age | fishing | 

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Taglines:

when life is at its finest...when love is at its fullest...

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Am goldenen See

Filming Locations:

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$119,285,432 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IPC Films, Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Considering his impressive body of work spanning almost six decades, it's astonishing that, except for an honorary Oscar in 1980, this was Henry Fonda's only best actor Oscar.

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Goofs

When Norman lets Billy Ray go off in the boat by himself, we see him speeding across the lake. Billy Ray and the steering wheel are on the alternate sides of the boat in subsequent shots.

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Quotes

Ethel: Don't you think that everyone looks back on their childhood with a certain amount of bitterness and regret? It doesn't have to ruin your life!

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Connections

Referenced in Man on the Moon (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Happy Birthday to You"
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Sung by all for Norman's birthday

User Reviews

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely

This film is just so nice to watch. The plot is fairly simple, as is the direction. The script just serves as the frame for Hepburn and Fonda.

To say their performances are out of this world is probably the wrong way to say it. They are just so gentle and sweet. This film convinced me of their sheer quality.

They had made only a handful of films between them over the last decade or so. To come out of retirement and do something like that is unbelievable. I can only assume that their performances are so similar to what they are in real life that it wasn't really acting.

If you are at all a fan of Fonda or Hepburn, you must see this film. You must see it. It will put you in a better mood.