A family reacts to the return of the patriarch who abandoned them seven years earlier.A family reacts to the return of the patriarch who abandoned them seven years earlier.A family reacts to the return of the patriarch who abandoned them seven years earlier.
Lester Goldsmith
- Mr. Kestenbaum
- (as Lester M. Goldsmith)
Featured review
I can't believe only one other person has commented on this movie! I guess it must be virtually pulled from circulation. I haven't seen it for years, but i've always remembered it and have been looking for it ever since one chance viewing on late night TV.
I just thought it was brilliant but have subsequently learned that critics thought it was horrible. oh well.
it felt like a drama by a great playwright. primal man vs. refined culture. outdoorsman vs. city folk. men vs. women.
and it's played to the hilt by Steiger and William Hickey. Hickey gives one of those most wonderful, funny, quirky, memorable performances i've ever seen in a film. and Steiger very effectively makes you hate him, playing this full-of-himself a*shole to the hilt -- but who can also appeal to any burgeoning Thoreauvian, or maybe even xtreme sports enthusiast.
there are some very funny scenes involving a violin that obviously symbolizes refined culture. There's almost something of a Simpsons in this -- an adult comedic violent film version of Homer vs. Lisa.
there's gotta be some reason this has been pulled from circulation cuz it's just too good and weird to not make more frequent appearances on the second-string movie channels. if you ever get a chance to see it, i say, email me and lemmi know when it's on! and don't miss it.
William Hickey: Thanks for being here!
I just thought it was brilliant but have subsequently learned that critics thought it was horrible. oh well.
it felt like a drama by a great playwright. primal man vs. refined culture. outdoorsman vs. city folk. men vs. women.
and it's played to the hilt by Steiger and William Hickey. Hickey gives one of those most wonderful, funny, quirky, memorable performances i've ever seen in a film. and Steiger very effectively makes you hate him, playing this full-of-himself a*shole to the hilt -- but who can also appeal to any burgeoning Thoreauvian, or maybe even xtreme sports enthusiast.
there are some very funny scenes involving a violin that obviously symbolizes refined culture. There's almost something of a Simpsons in this -- an adult comedic violent film version of Homer vs. Lisa.
there's gotta be some reason this has been pulled from circulation cuz it's just too good and weird to not make more frequent appearances on the second-string movie channels. if you ever get a chance to see it, i say, email me and lemmi know when it's on! and don't miss it.
William Hickey: Thanks for being here!
- karmacoupe
- Sep 27, 2003
- Permalink
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe original Broadway production of "Happy Birthday, Wanda June" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. opened at the Edison Theater on December 22, 1970, ran for 96 performances and closed on March 14, 1971.
- Quotes
Penelope Ryan: Doctor Woodley, I would like you to meet Harold, my husband. Harold, I would like you to meet Doctor Woodley, my fiancé. Good night, dear.
[kisses Harold]
Penelope Ryan: Good night, dear.
[kisses Dr. Woodley]
Penelope Ryan: . Stay or go; talk or sulk; laugh or cry--as you wish. Do whatever seems called for. My mind is gone. Good night.
[she closes and locks door]
- ConnectionsReferenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: 12 to the Moon (1994)
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- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s Happy Birthday, Wanda June
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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Top Gap
By what name was Happy Birthday, Wanda June (1971) officially released in India in English?
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