Gloria (1980)

When a young boy's family is killed by the mob, their tough neighbor Gloria becomes his reluctant guardian. In possession of a book that the gangsters want, the pair go on the run in New York.

Director:

John Cassavetes

Writer:

John Cassavetes

Stars:

Gena Rowlands, Buck Henry, Julie Carmen

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Carmen	...	Jeri Dawn
Tony Knesich	...	1st Man - Gangster
Gregory Cleghorne	...	Kid in Elevator
Buck Henry	...	Jack Dawn
John Adames	...	Phil Dawn
Lupe Garnica	...	Margarita Vargas
Jessica Castillo	...	Joan Dawn
Tom Noonan	...	2nd Man - Gangster
Ronald Maccone	...	3rd Man - Gangster
George Yudzevich	...	Heavy Set Man
Gena Rowlands	...	Gloria Swenson
Gary Howard Klar	...	Irish Cop (as Gary Klar)
William E. Rice	...	TV Newscaster
Frank Belgiorno	...	Riverside Drive Man #5
J.C. Quinn	...	Riverside Drive Man #4

Storyline

A bookkeeper for the NYC mob, Jack Dawn and his family are about to be killed, because he'd been keeping a copy of their records. Right before the hit, Jack's wife asks neighbour, Gloria Svenson to look after their 6-year old son, Phil, and his teenage sister. Though the sister runs back and is killed with the rest of the family, Phil's safe with Gloria - a former mob girl. Now older, but just as tough, she doesn't want any problems, but she knows the mob won't stop till they get the book, and kill the boy. Reluctantly, she becomes his guardian. The pair go on the run, as the mob chases them throughout the city.

---

Plot Keywords:

child in jeopardy | gangster | new york city | action heroine | mob hit | 

---

Taglines:

And she's out to beat the mob at their own game.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

One Summer Night

Filming Locations:

Grand Concourse, Concourse Plaza Hotel, 161st Street, The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$33,767, 5 October 1980

Gross USA:

$4,059,673

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,059,673

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gena Rowlands (Gloria Swenson) later co-starred with Sharon Stone, who played the title character in the remake Gloria (1999), in The Mighty (1998).

---

Goofs

When Phil boards the train, the shot has been reversed, as evidenced by backwards lettering on the signs on the train and the platform.

---

Quotes

Gloria Swenson: If I'm gonna get you out of here, I gotta have your help.
Phil Dawn: How can I help you?
Gloria Swenson: They're gonna kill us, you little jackass... I don't wanna die!

---

Connections

Referenced in Chungking Express (1994)

User Reviews

Super Movie!

This is one of my favorite movies of all times. Gena Rowlands is a powerhouse actor in this gutsy film about survival, courage and compassion set in the fast-paced, gritty New York City of the 70s. The acting all-around is exceptional. The film is riveting from beginning to end. You get swept up in Gloria's dilemma right away. The scene where she has to decide whether to save herself and turn the kid over to his assassins is very believable as you can see and feel how desperate one would be in such a dire situation. Another great scene is at a Penn Station coffee shop where she confronts the stalking mobsters at a nearby table. You can hear a pin drop in that restaurant as she stands there saying, "I'm Gloria. My hand is on my gun in my purse!" Yet another great scene is the crowded subway where she literally throws punches with one of the mobsters who has caught up with her. Everyone in that graffiti-laden subway car presses against the walls trying to get away when Gloria pulls her gun. She says as she gets off: "Ya punk! Ya Punk. Ya let a sissy beat you, huh? You punk! Go ahead, punk!." Then the subway car closes and she and the kid get away yet again. So, get lots of popcorn, turn off the phones and curl up in bed with the lights off for this one!