Grey Gardens (1975)

An old mother and her middle-aged daughter, the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy, live their eccentric lives in a filthy, decaying mansion in East Hampton.

Directors:

Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles

Stars:

Edith Bouvier Beale, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Brooks Hyers

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale	...	Herself
Edith Bouvier Beale	...	Herself
Brooks Hyers	...	Himself - Gardener
Norman Vincent Peale	...	Himself (voice)

Storyline

The Maysles brothers pay visits to Edith Bouvier Beale, nearing 80, and her daughter Edie. Reclusive, the pair live with cats and raccoons in Grey Gardens, a crumbling mansion in East Hampton. Edith is dry and quick-witted - a singer, married but later separated, a member of high society. Edie is voluble, dresses - as she puts it - for combat in tight ensembles that include scarves wrapped around her head. There are hints that Edie came home 24 years before to be cared for rather than to care for her mother. The women address the camera, talking over each other, moving from the present to events years before. They're odd, with flinty affection for each other.

---

Plot Keywords:

mansion | cat | garden | singer | raccoon | 

---

Taglines:

She was the girl who had everything - Money, good looks and social position. her mother - a classic Bouvier beauty. Now they are living amongst the souvenirs of their lives. In Grey Gardens. This is their story. A love story. Sort of. Hailed as one of the oddest, most beautiful films ever.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Két nő - egy ház

Filming Locations:

East Hampton, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,845, 8 March 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$30,966, 15 March 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Portrait Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was something of an accident, in the sense that Albert Maysles and David Maysles came across Edith Bouvier Beale and Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale when involved in another project--a movie about (Jacqueline Kennedy's sister) Lee Radziwill's childhood. As part of research, the Maysles brothers were introduced to the Beales, and were captivated by their world. Deciding not to make the Radzwill film, they turned instead to the Beales, and a year after first meeting the two women, began filming.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale: What're you doing down there? You staying there?

---

Connections

Referenced in Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers (2009)

---

Soundtracks

You and the Night and the Music
(uncredited)
Music by Arthur Schwartz
Lyrics by Howard Dietz
Performed by Edith Bouvier Beale

User Reviews

An amazing glimpse into the wonderful, bizarre life of a mother and daughter

Several years ago when I first watched "Grey Gardens" I remember laughing and finding it hilarious camp. Years later I still laugh out loud when I watch it, but after many viewings I've come to see the beauty in the strange, twisted relationship between the inseparable "Big" Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little" Edith Bouvier Beale.

Mother and daughter living together in their decaying 28 room East Hampton mansion add a whole new meaning to the term "Shabby Chic". With innumerable cats, raccoons and opossums as roommates this Aunt and Niece of Jackie O. allowed filmmakers Albert and David Maysles into their mansion to film them living life day to day. The result is a hilarious, beautiful, sad and moving account of true love and anarchy rule.

The relationship between Big and Little Edie is a testament to the unbreakable bonds of love. And their lives an example of drive, determination and free-will. This movie has more to recommend it than I can put down into words. It is a rare experience that you must see for yourself.