Cannery Row (1982)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

David S. Ward

Writers:

John Steinbeck (novels)
David S. Ward (writer)

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

You don't have to be crazy to live here...but it helps.

Plot:

A depressed section of Monterey, California, known as Cannery Row from its string of now-empty canning...

Plot Keywords:

Loneliness | Octopus | Snake | Baseball Bat | Brothel

Cast

Nick Nolte	...	Doc
Debra Winger	...	Suzy DeSoto
Audra Lindley	...	Fauna
Frank McRae	...	Hazel
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Mack
Tom Mahoney	...	Hughie
John Malloy	...	Jones
James Keane	...	Eddie
Sunshine Parker	...	The Seer
Santos Morales	...	Joseph / Mary
John Huston	...	Narrator (voice)
Ellen Blake	...	Wisteria
Sharon Ernster	...	Agnes
Kathleen Doyle	...	Violet
Mary Margaret Amato	...	Lola

Also Known As:

John Steinbeck's Cannery Row

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | USA:PG | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Monterey, California, USA

Company:

Chai Productions

Trivia:

For some reason, screenwriter-director 'David S. Ward' lowered the character's stated I.Q. (181 in the book "Sweet Thursday") for his film by 30 points. An Intelligence Quotient of 170 and above are considered "super-genius" (versus the "genius" I.Q. of 140 and above). Perhaps Ward didn't believe that star Nick Nolte would be believable with such a high I.Q.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Susie brings the macaroons to Doc, the rattlesnake cage is a few inches below her elbow. In the next shot, the cage is a few inches above her elbow.

Quotes:

Suzy: I don't understand it. We get along great when we're not together.

Soundtrack:

BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA

PERFECT STEINBECK-IAN WORK

There were a few newspapers, here and there, that named CANNERY ROW as one of the Best of the Year, and they were the few that truly appreciated what is one of the finest capturing of Steinbeck ever on the screen. The film unites a couple of Steinbeck works that also became the book for Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream". Unfortunately, Steinbeck goes in and out of favor, and, at the moment, he is not lionized. But CANNERY ROW is a total delight -- replete with an extraordinary capture of the Steinbeck dialogue, a magnificent mise en scene of coastal California, a delicious group of characters captured to perfection, exquisite photography, and a soundtrack that united Bach with a melodic and playful score that deserved soundtrack status. Everything works... the humor is handled with a touch of wonderful madness by Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, and a gleeful bunch of farceurs playing giddy prostitutes and aging drop-outs who live along the desolate Cannary Row. Classic moments include the jitterbug between Nolte and Winger that temporarily interrupts their insults; the infamous frog hunt; Doc's special treat at the diner.... This David Ward film should be elevated to a classic status. It must be rediscovered so that audiences can delight in it for ages to come. See it..... Relax... Enjoy....and listen to the narration of John Huston - another element that is right on the mark !!!