The Sterile Cuckoo (1969)

Director:

Alan J. Pakula

Writers:

John Nichols (novel) and
Alvin Sargent (writer)

Release Date:

22 October 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

First love is beautiful hurt....if it happens to you once, you're lucky.

Plot:

Two students from neighboring colleges in upstate New York are swept up in a tragic romantic interlude...

Plot Keywords:

College | Break Up | Breakdown | Party | Broken Heart

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Liza Minnelli	...	'Pookie' (Mary Ann) Adams
Wendell Burton	...	Jerry Payne
Tim McIntire	...	Charlie Schumacher

Also Known As:

Pookie (UK)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG (re-rating) (1972) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:M (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Clinton, New York, USA

Company:

Boardwalk Productions

Trivia:

In the original novel, the story takes place over three years. This was shortened to a single school year for the movie.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In Pookie's written rants against the weirdos of the world, the word is always spelled "wierdo."

Quotes:

'Pookie' Adams: [before sex] Wanna peel the tomato?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "L.A. Law: The Unsterile Cuckoo (#4.1)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Come Saturday Morning

A truly original, wonderful film!

This story of a strange girl falling in love with a boy who at first resists, then embraces her is a wonderful movie. Pookie Adams is unlike any character in any other movie I have seen. She is truly desperate for love and when she finds it she ruins it by holding on too tightly. This movie is heart- breaking because there is no way for the teenage lovers to find a happy ending. A sweet, touching look at first love that is not to be missed.