The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)

From the Pullizer Prize winning play by Paul Zindel, this is the story of Beatrice Hunsdorfer and her daughters, Ruth and Matilda. A middle-aged widowed eccentric, Beatrice is looking for ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Newman

Writers:

Paul Zindel (play), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:

Joanne Woodward, Nell Potts, Roberta Wallach

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joanne Woodward	...	Beatrice Hunsdorfer
Nell Potts	...	Matilda Hunsdorfer
Roberta Wallach	...	Ruth Hunsdorfer
Judith Lowry	...	Nanny Annie
David Spielberg	...	Mr. John Goodman
Richard Venture	...	Floyd Hunsdorfer
Carolyn Coates	...	Mrs. McKay
Will Hare	...	Junk Man
Estelle Omens	...	Caroline Hunsdorfer
Jess Osuna	...	Trooper Sonny Gunderson
Ellen Dano	...	Janice Vickery
Lynne Rogers	...	Miss Edith Hanley
Roger Serbagi	...	Charlie
John Lehne	...	Apartment Manager
Michael Kearney	...	Chris Burns

Storyline

From the Pullizer Prize winning play by Paul Zindel, this is the story of Beatrice Hunsdorfer and her daughters, Ruth and Matilda. A middle-aged widowed eccentric, Beatrice is looking for her life in the classified ads while all about her is the rubble of an unkempt house. All she needs is the right opportunity, she says puffing on a cigarette. Poorly equipped to survive the vagaries of modern life, she has nonetheless always managed to muddle through. Ruth, epileptic and making her way through the rebellious phase of adolescence, seems doomed to make the same mistakes as her mother. Quiet Matilda, on the other hand, seeks refuge in her animals and her schoolwork. "Jesus, don't you hate the world, Matilda?" Beatrice asks her youngest daughter. The title of the film is also the subject of Matilda's science project at school and serves as a metaphor for the way life affects each of us differently -- how some are able to find opportunity in adversity and thrive and how some succumb when ...

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Plot Keywords:

girl in very short dress or skirt | girl in a notably short outfit | girl in kneesocks and saddle shoes | science project | connecticut | 

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Taglines:

Joanne Woodward stars in it. Paul Newman made it. The electrifying team from "Rachel, Rachel"

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 1973 (France)

Also Known As:

A Influência dos Raios Gama no Comportamento das Margaridas

Filming Locations:

Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$84,462

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Newman-Foreman Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Paul Newman told that his wife Joanne Woodward never brought her character home after shooting. Except on the making of this film, because she hated her character so much that she searched this way to get rid of her.

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Goofs

When Beatrice arrives at her sister-in-law Caroline's house, we see Caroline and her three bridge-playing friends in one shot. Later, when Beatrice yells at her brother-in-law through the bathroom door, we see the three ladies a second time in a reaction shot. Only one of them appears in both shots, although wearing a different outfit each time. The other two card-playing friends were played by different extras in each shot.

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Quotes

Beatrice: My heart is full!

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Connections

Version of New York Television Theatre: The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1966)

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Soundtracks

The Stars and Stripes Forever
(uncredited)
Written by John Philip Sousa

User Reviews

The thrill of it has lasted 28 years!

I have only seen this film once, at the Tyneside Cinema, an early arts house independent cinema in the UK. I saw the film in the year of its release. I still treasure memories of Joanne Woodward's performance as the tragi-comic loudmouth of a mother, who is desperate to do things right, but also has little time for the opinions of others. I would dearly love to see it again, but on the few occasions that I have enquired, I have been greeted by bewildered expressions from folk who plainly think that I am having them on when I mention the title. Perhaps this is an apt result, given the way that the star of the film played such an alienated role that fans of the film should now find themselves being looked at in a somewhat dubious way! To those who have not seen it, grab this powerful performance with both hands. It truly is a gem, with a fine range of emotions, and a cast that works fully together. Thank you for giving me the chance to write this.