Chapter Two (1979)

George Schneider is an author whose wife had just died. His brother Leo gives him the number of Jennie Malone, and somehow they hit it off, and just when things are moving along, the memory... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Moore

Writers:

Neil Simon (play), Neil Simon (screenplay)

Stars:

James Caan, Marsha Mason, Joseph Bologna

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Caan	...	George Schneider
Marsha Mason	...	Jennie MacLaine
Joseph Bologna	...	Leo Schneider (as Joe Bologna)
Valerie Harper	...	Faye Medwick
Alan Fudge	...	Lee Michaels
Judy Farrell	...	Gwen Michaels
Debra Mooney	...	Marilyn
Isabel Cooley	...	Customs Officer
Imogene Bliss	...	Elderly Lady in Bookstore
Barry Michlin	...	Maitre d'
Ray Young	...	Gary
Greg Zadikov	...	Waiter
Paul Singh	...	Waiter (as Dr. Paul Singh)
Sumant	...	Waiter
Cheryl Bianchi	...	Electric Girl

Storyline

George Schneider is an author whose wife had just died. His brother Leo gives him the number of Jennie Malone, and somehow they hit it off, and just when things are moving along, the memory of his first wife comes between them.

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Plot Keywords:

literature on screen | american literature on screen | humoristic literature on screen | american humoristic literature on screen | 20th century literature on screen | 

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Taglines:

It's not supposed to happen twice in your life, but it can.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Neil Simon once said of his play "Chapter Two" in "The Play Goes On" (1999): "Before I could write the play Chapter Two...I felt I had to go to Marsha to get her consent...If this was too personal to go public with, despite the fact that I would try to give the characters their own personalities separate from ours, I would still have to adhere to her wishes. When I finally asked her, she said, 'It's fine with me because what you'd be telling is your story, not mine. You'd write about what was going on in your head and could only presume what was happening to me. If I want to tell my story, maybe I'll put it in my own book one day.' I was enormously grateful for her consent and encouragement, and although I knew I'd made no promises to her, I would have to treat the story as truthfully as I could."

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Quotes

George Schneider: Is it Jugens or Yurgens?
Jennie MacLaine: Neither, it's MacClaine, Jennifer MacClaine.
George Schneider: [Peering at the note] No, that's wrong.
Jennie MacLaine: I could show you my Driver's License.

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: Being There/The Fog/Chapter Two/American Gigolo/Fatso (1980)

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Soundtracks

I'm On Your Side
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Sung by Marilyn McCoo

User Reviews

Chapter Two

Sappy adaptation of the Simon autobiographical play with Caan horribly miscast in the Simon character (played by Judd Hirsch on the stage). He lacks the timing and precision for comedy. Mason is splendid in an Oscar nominated role as Caan's new love interest who tries to give Caan a sense of hope and deep love. Bologna and Harper add flavor to their key supporting roles.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 1980 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's Chapter Two

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rastar Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1