Goodbye, Columbus (1969)

An intelligent graduate and working-class army veteran has an affair and clashes with a 'nouveau riche' young woman, who does not care about birth control or the use of any other precautions to avoid pregnancy.

Director:

Larry Peerce

Writers:

Philip Roth (novel), Arnold Schulman

Stars:

Richard Benjamin, Ali MacGraw, Jack Klugman

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Benjamin	...	Neil Klugman
Ali MacGraw	...	Brenda Patimkin
Jack Klugman	...	Ben Patimkin
Nan Martin	...	Mrs. Ben Patimkin
Michael Meyers	...	Ron Patimkin
Lori Shelle	...	Julie Patimkin
Monroe Arnold	...	Uncle Leo
Kay Cummings	...	Doris Klugman
Sylvie Strause	...	Aunt Gladys
Royce Wallace	...	Carlotta
Anthony McGowan	...	Boy in Library
Mari Gorman	...	Laura Simpson Sockaloe
Chris Schenkel	...	Voice on Columbus Record (voice)
Jay Jostyn	...	Voice on Columbus Record (voice)
Jan Peerce	...	Uncle Manny

Storyline

A Jewish man and a Jewish woman meet and while attracted to each other, find that their worlds are very different. She is the archtypical Jewish American Princess, very emotionally involved with her parents' world, and the world they have created for her, while he is much less dependent on his family. They begin an affair, which brings more differences to the surface.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | comma in title | class differences | weeping | engagement | 

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Taglines:

Every father's daughter is a virgin.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Jaclyn Smith (in an uncredited role).

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Goofs

At the dinner table, Julie is told that it is earlier in Columbus, where Harriet is calling from, than where she lives in New York. In fact both cities are in the same Eastern Standard Time Zone. In the book, Harriet is calling from Milwaukee in the Central Time Zone, which is correct. However, when the screenplay changed her location to Columbus, the writer failed to realize this fact and change the dialog or the city.

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Quotes

Brenda Patimkin: Are you serious?
Neil Klugman: I'm way the hell past serious: I'm suicidal.

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Connections

Referenced in The Andrew Klavan Show: A Cultural Earthquake (2017)

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Soundtracks

Goodbye, Columbus
Written by Jim Yester
Sung by The Association

User Reviews

Good movie ... sad story

A young man meets a young woman and falls in love. Then as the relationship develops the man discovers that the young woman, who is beautiful and charming, is a confused shrill who is using him to act out against her parents. Now the man has to make a decision: stay or leave. This movie is remarkable for one reason: Ali McGraw. Thirty-five years ago Ali McGraw was a mega-superstar and is a truly great actress. Ali McGraw makes this movie watchable. Her performance, in this noteworthy movie, was great. This is not an upbeat movie and does not have any heroes. None of the characters in this movie are particularly likable, especially the Richard Benjamin character whose perpetual scowl reflects a condescending arrogance that adds to the movie's negativity. But that does not mean that this is a bad movie. Quite the contrary. It's a well acted, well-scripted movie that tells a story. But don't expect a happy story.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

Goodbye, Columbus

Filming Locations:

Gould Memorial Library, Bronx Community College - University Avenue at West 181 Street, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$22,939,805

Company Credits

Production Co:

Willow Tree

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1