Charly (1968)

An intellectually disabled man undergoes an experiment that gives him the intelligence of a genius.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writers:

Daniel Keyes (novel), Stirling Silliphant (screenplay)

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom, Lilia Skala

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Cliff Robertson	...	Charly Gordon
Claire Bloom	...	Alice Kinnian
Lilia Skala	...	Dr. Anna Straus
Leon Janney	...	Dr. Richard Nemur
Ruth White	...	Mrs. Apple
Dick Van Patten	...	Bert - Lab Assistant (as Richard Van Patten)
Edward McNally	...	Gimpy - Bakery Worker (as Skipper McNally)
Barney Martin	...	Hank - Bakery Worker
William Dwyer	...	Joey - Bakery Worker
Dan Morgan	...	Paddy - Bartender

Storyline

Charly is an adult male with a cognitive disability, struggling to survive in the modern world. His frequent attempts at learning, reading and writing prove difficult, and he is the subject of cruel pranks at the bakery where he does minor janitorial work. His teacher, Mrs. Kinnian, enrolls Charly in a clinical study where he is observed by a surgeon and a psychologist who have Charly "race" a mouse named Algernon, solving mazes. Algernon is usually the winner, thanks to an experiment involving brain proteins that greatly raised his intelligence. The experiment proceeds with surgery on Charly, who at first does not seem affected. However, he quickly becomes more logically advanced, soon becoming a pure genius. Emotional and intra-personal consequences are involved as Charly and his teacher become increasingly attached to one another. But when Charly gradually suspects the consequences of the experiment, he struggles with whether or not the procedure was a good idea.

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Plot Keywords:

experiment | mouse | mental retardation | enhanced intelligence | genius | 

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Taglines:

A less than ordinary man is turned into a genius. He awakens to an exquisite love experience, but at an impossible price for CHARLY

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon

Filming Locations:

Paul Revere Mall, North End, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$15,826,800

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,530,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selmur Productions, Robertson and Associates, ABC Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (fantasy sequence) Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The renowned screenwriter William Goldman made his first attempt at a screenplay by adapting the novel for Cliff Robertson, who eventually fired him and replaced him with the more experienced Stirling Silliphant.

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Goofs

When Dr. Nemur, Dr. Straus and Mrs. Kinnian are discussing possible complications with Charlie's surgery, there's one shot where Dr. Nemur takes the cigarette out of his mouth, but in the next shot it's back in.

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Quotes

Alice Kinnian: They say, Charly, that true love is letting go.

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Crazy Credits

The title appears onscreen as if scrawled by a child, with the "R" backwards.

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Connections

Referenced in NewsRadio: Arcade (1996)

User Reviews

Charly is not "pure schlock!"

The film is wonderful in many aspects. The acting is first-rate; Oscars usually aren't handed out on a whim. Cliff Robertson delivered the performance of his career in this film.

There are elements of science fiction and psychological action in the film. You have been warned. These segments are well done and add to the film as opposed to creating a negative side-track.

I suggest that anyone watching Charly first read at least part of Daniel Keyes's "Flowers for Algernon" for basic background. The film makes more sense after reading the novel.

All in all, Charly is a worthwhile experience. Some may not like the film, but I find it to be one of the best of the 1960s.