6.0/10
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21 user 11 critic

Happy Birthday, Wanda June (1971)

A family reacts to the return of the patriarch who abandoned them seven years prior.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (play), Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (screenplay)
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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview:
Rod Steiger ... Harold Ryan
Susannah York ... Penelope Ryan
George Grizzard ... Dr. Norbert Woodley
Don Murray ... Herb Shuttle
William Hickey ... Looseleaf Harper
Steven Paul ... Paul Ryan
Pamelyn Ferdin ... Wanda June
Pamela Saunders Pamela Saunders ... Mildred Ryan
Louis Turenne Louis Turenne ... Major von Koningswald
C.C. Whitney C.C. Whitney ... Mrs. Kestenbaum
Lester Goldsmith Lester Goldsmith ... Mr. Kestenbaum (as Lester M. Goldsmith)
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Storyline

A family reacts to the return of the patriarch who abandoned them seven years prior.

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. opened at the Edison Theater on December 22, 1970, ran for 96 performances and closed on March 14, 1971. See more »

Quotes

Penelope Ryan: Doctor Woodley, I would like you to meet Harold, my husband. Harold, I would like you to meet Doctor Woodley, my fiancé. Goodnight dear
[kisses Harold]
Penelope Ryan: goodnight dear
[kisses Dr Woodley]
Penelope Ryan: . Stay or go; talk or sulk; laugh or cry - as you wish. Do whatever seems called for. My mind is gone. Good night.
[she closes and locks door]
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Connections

References Day Dreams (1922) See more »

User Reviews

Irony,Madness and Desperation
8 December 2001 | by Michael9137See all my reviews

The first time I've watched this remarkable movie, was on commercial TV..I was sincerely amazed with this exquisite blend of irony,madness and desperation that was a trademark of Mr.Vonegut's works.But, there was something really new coming on that flick...the urges of a mankind behind those solid characters, Steiger and Hickey, this last one the bomber that wasted Hiroshima, and his Master, a frontiersman Steiger,both back from a disastrous expedition to Africa, that lasted years...Their families, in the face of those presumed deceased...What about an effervescent and mutating world of the early 70's?They should portrait the Vietnam fighters, being cursed for the flower power generation...Blended with superb interpretations from all the cast, with poisonous 'sensa huma'and political uncorrectioness all over the place.Those were the days, dude. A really must see...


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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 1971 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Feliz Aniversário, Wanda June See more »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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