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:

Mother of the Year.

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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

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

Beatrice's car is a 1958 DeSoto Fireflite.

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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

References Guiding Light (1952)

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Soundtracks

On, Wisconsin!
(uncredited)
Music by William T. Purdy

User Reviews

Well-directed, affecting character study...

Paul Newman again surprises (along with "Rachel, Rachel") as Joanne Woodward is presented in the unglamorous role of Beatrice Hunsdorfer, a bitter widow living on the fringe in an anonymous Connecticut suburb.

Nell Potts and Roberta Wallach in diametrically opposed roles, Ruth, the epileptic popular daughter, and Mathilda, the science-project sensitive daughter who relates to her pet rabbit.

While some is a bit overdone it is no stretch to imagine a bored housewife trying to make ends meet; Woodward is sympathetic and annoying at the same time. A brilliant performance.

This film was made in 1972 and it would truly amazing to see real character portrayals in film again. Today we have to visit the theater for such affecting performances. Well worth more than one viewing. 9/10.