On Golden Pond (1981)

Norman is a curmudgeon with an estranged relationship with his daughter Chelsea. At Golden Pond, he and his wife nevertheless agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, and a most unexpected relationship blooms.

Director:

Mark Rydell

Writers:

Ernest Thompson (screenplay), Ernest Thompson (based on his play)

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda

Won 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Ethel Thayer
Henry Fonda	...	Norman Thayer Jr.
Jane Fonda	...	Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Doug McKeon	...	Billy Ray
Dabney Coleman	...	Bill Ray
William Lanteau	...	Charlie Martin
Christopher Rydell	...	Sumner Todd (as Chris Rydell)

Storyline

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea -- whom they haven't seen for years -- feels she must be there for Norman's birthday. She and her fiance are on their way to Europe the next day but will be back in a couple of weeks to pick up the fiance's son. When she returns Chelsea is married and her stepson has the relationship with her father that she always wanted. Will father and daughter be able to communicate at last?

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Plot Keywords:

motherhood | teenage boy | 1980s | nostalgia | character appears in newspaper | 

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Taglines:

when life is at its finest...when love is at its fullest...

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

On Golden Pond

Filming Locations:

Lake Winnipausakee, New Hampshire, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$89,213, 6 December 1981

Gross USA:

$119,285,432

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$119,285,432

Company Credits

Production Co:

IPC Films, Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Apparently, stars Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn had not only never worked together, but had never even met prior to working on this picture, despite having mutual friends and acquaintances.

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Goofs

There are windows on the landing of the stairway up to the second floor. When Chelsea and her new boyfriend the dentist and the dentist's son arrive it's dark outside. But sunshine is coming through the windows on the landing. Whereas all other windows are showing dark. And the time is verified that it is dark outside when Chelsea comes into the house and greets her father.

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Quotes

Billy Ray: [after his father and Chelsea left] I might not stick around here. I might just haul my ass up to Wyoming, Puerto Rico, one of those places. Listen, I know I'm just being dumped here. Just like my middle name. You turkeys don't want me.
Norman: [quietly, yet emphatically] Bullshit. I'm sixty-seven years older than you. How do you know what I want?

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Alternate Versions

When premiered on TV, an extra credit dedicated to Henry Fonda was added to the final credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Jack Frost (1997)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Sung by all for Norman's birthday

User Reviews

Really great!!!

I really enjoyed "On Golden Pond". I wanted to see it, because Henry Fonda won his only Best Actor Oscar for it. Since I'm a Henry Fonda fan, I thought I should watch the movie the Academy considered his best. When I watched it, I really enjoyed it! It makes you not want to take life for granted, in any way. For Norman, he learns not to take life for granted by enjoying it. He also learns not to be so crotchety, and not to dote on death. His daughter, Chelsea, learned to forget about her differences with her father, and to love him while she can.

Katharine Hepburn also gives a brilliant, Oscar-winning performance as Ethel Thayer, Norman's devoted wife. She helps him in more ways than the audience realizes, because she tries to make him feel young, which is what he needs.

"On Golden Pond" is a wonderful movie with a combination of drama and comedy that makes for an entertaining experience. I recommend this movie to everyone!