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Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)

Approved   |    |  Drama

Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) Poster

Drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown after many years of trying to make it in the movies. Arriving with him is a faded film star he picked up along the way, Alexandra Del Lago. ... See full summary »

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7.4/10
6,051
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  • Rip Torn in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
  • Paul Newman and Geraldine Page in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
  • Paul Newman and Geraldine Page in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
  • Paul Newman and Shirley Knight in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
  • Paul Newman and Geraldine Page in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
  • Shirley Knight in Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)

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Awards

Won 1 Oscar.

Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
7 February 2007 | Panamint
8
| Memorable 1960's.........
Paul Newman is outstanding as the ultimate gigolo gold-digger. This movie also features the quintessential "Heavenly" daughter/ big bad daddy performances by Knight and by Begley, who is frighteningly effective.

Geraldine Page is perfectly imperfect and unattractive- remember she is this way for dramatic effect. You aren't supposed to like her. Anti-heroes and character studies were really featured in that era's plays and films. Such characters don't have to be likable and seldom are. Wonderful 1960's actresses Mildred Dunnock and Madeleine Sherwood also give their usual gem-like performances.

If you want to see what 1960's-style movie-making was really all about, view this one. Sure it is uneven and maybe a little old-fashioned by today's standards, but you can get an idea of why some of us are nostalgic for a decade that is known for big changes in movies, but otherwise somewhat forgotten. Here you get a good dose of the cynicism and fine acting of the 60's but without the annoying pretentiousness that was so prevalent in films of the era.

Also, you don't have to be familiar with the stage play or Tennessee Williams in order to appreciate this movie-making effort by Richard Brooks.

Critic Reviews

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Geraldine Page, in a magazine interview shortly before her death, said the make-up artists and hairdressers spent hours on her face and hair to obtain the 'look' of a beautiful, albeit, aging movie star. Page thought this glamorized version of Alexandra wasn't right for the part, since Alexandra Del Lago was an alcoholic and drug user, but Page admitted she felt it was the best she ever looked in her entire life.

Quotes

Boss Finley: Me... What about me?
Aunt Nonnie: You? You can go straight to hell!

Goofs

In the beginning of the movie as Chance is driving, he sees a sign saying "You Are Now Leaving Florida." The multi-lane highway runs very close to the beach with no buildings in between the road and beach and dozens of oil pumps adjacent to the highway. This was clearly filmed in southern California.

Soundtracks

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 (Pathétique)
(1893) (uncredited)
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Second movement played for Alexandra's comeback test

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Drama

Details

Release Date:

29 May 1962

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Malibu, California, USA

User Polls

When the Villain Wins an Oscar
Oscar Nominees & Winners at 27
1962 : The Year of the Oscar Booze

What Have We Done to Glenn Howerton?

Celebrities sit through tons of interviews, so we wanted make sure our talk with "A.P. Bio" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" star Glenn Howerton was memorable.

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