The Sterile Cuckoo
| The Sterile Cuckoo | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alan J. Pakula |
| Written by | Novel: John Nichols Screenplay: Alvin Sargent |
| Starring | Liza Minnelli Wendell Burton Tim McIntire |
| Editing by | Sam O'Steen |
| Studio | Boardwalk Productions |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 22 October 1969 |
| Running time | 107 min. |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), released in the UK as Pookie, is a theatrical release feature film released by Paramount Pictures. It tells the story of an eccentric young couple whose relationship deepens despite their differences and inadequacies, and stars Liza Minnelli, Wendell Burton, and Tim McIntire.
The movie was adapted by Alvin Sargent from the 1965 novel by John Nichols, and directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Much of the movie was filmed at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. Some of it was filmed in Sylvan Beach, New York, including the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel.
It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Liza Minnelli) and Best Music, Song (Fred Karlin and Dory Previn for Come Saturday Morning).
[edit] Plot
Mary Ann "Pookie" Adams (Minnelli) is an oddball, quirky teenager who meets Jerry Payne (Burton) while waiting for a bus heading to their colleges, which are near each other, where they have enrolled as freshmen. Jerry immediately sees that Pookie is different, even strange. She lies to a nun on the bus so the nun will switch seats with her. Jerry is beginning to settle into college life with his roommate (Tim McIntire) when Pookie shows up one Saturday morning out of the blue. They spend much time together over the weekend, and before long are seeing each other regularly.
Jerry slowly falls in love with Pookie, but soon their different personality types pull them apart. They began having sex, and not long after Pookie tells Jerry she might be pregnant. After the pregnancy scare is over, Jerry wants to spend spring break alone to catch up on his studies. Pookie begs and pleads to stay with him, and he relents. The week alone with Pookie makes Jerry realize they need time apart, and he tells Pookie this. He discovers she has left college, and he finds her in the same boarding house where she had stayed on the first day she came to visit. He puts her on a bus for home, and the young lovers part.
[edit] Cast
- Liza Minnelli as Mary Ann 'Pookie' Adams
- Wendell Burton as Jerry Payne
- Tim McIntire as Charlie Schumacher
[edit] External links
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