Goodbye, Columbus (film)
| Goodbye, Columbus | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Larry Peerce |
| Produced by | Stanley R. Jaffe |
| Screenplay by | Arnold Schulman |
| Based on | 1959 novella Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth |
| Starring |
Richard Benjamin Ali MacGraw Jack Klugman Nan Martin |
| Music by | Charles Fox |
| Cinematography | Enrique Bravo Gerald Hirschfeld |
| Edited by | Ralph Rosenblum |
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Production
company |
Willow Tree
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.5 million |
| Box office | $22,939,805 |
Goodbye, Columbus is a 1969 American romantic comedy drama film starring Richard Benjamin and Ali MacGraw, directed by Larry Peerce and based on the novella of the same name by Philip Roth. The screenplay was written by Arnold Schulman who was awarded the Writers Guild of America Award.
This was essentially MacGraw's film debut, as she had previously played a bit part in 1968's A Lovely Way to Die. The story's title alludes to a phonograph record played by the brother of MacGraw's character, nostalgically recalling his athletic career at Ohio State.
Neil Klugman (Richard Benjamin) is an intelligent, working class army veteran and graduate of Rutgers University who works as a library clerk. He falls for Brenda Patimkin (Ali MacGraw), a wealthy student at Radcliffe College who is home for the summer. They face obstacles from Brenda's family (particularly her mother), due to differences in class and assimilation into the American mainstream. Other conflicts include propriety and issues related to premarital sex and the possibility of pregnancy, and Mrs. Patimkin's envy of her daughter's youth. Near the end, she has Neil come up to spend a weekend in Massachusetts. Brenda then tells Neil her mother found her diaphragm, and her parents know about their affair. Neil and Brenda argue, and she ends the affair as abruptly as she allowed it to commence.
The film earned an estimated $10.5 million in rentals at the North American box office, making it one of the most popular movies of the year.
When the film was released the staff at Variety magazine lauded the film, writing, "This adaptation of Philip Roth's National Book Award-winning novella is sometimes a joy in striking a boisterous mood, and otherwise handling action. Castwise the feature excels. Richard Benjamin as the boy, a librarian after serving in the army, and Ali MacGraw, making her screen bow as the daughter of wealthy and socially-conscious parents, offer fresh portrayals seasoned with rich humor. Their romance develops swiftly after their meeting at a country-club pool."
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Wikipedia