Happy Birthday, Gemini
Happy Birthday, Gemini is a 1980 comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Benner and starring Madeline Kahn, Rita Moreno, Robert Viharo, Alan Rosenberg, Sarah Holcomb, David Marshall Grant and Timothy Jenkins. It is based on Albert Innaurato's play Gemini.[1][3]
| Happy Birthday, Gemini | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Richard Benner |
| Screenplay by | Richard Benner |
| Based on | Gemini by Albert Innaurato |
| Produced by | Rupert Hitzig |
| Starring | Madeline Kahn Rita Moreno Robert Viharo Alan Rosenberg Sarah Holcomb David Marshall Grant Timothy Jenkins |
| Cinematography | James B. Kelly |
| Edited by | Stephen Fanfara |
| Music by | Rich Look Cathy Chamberlain |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes[2] 147 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Set in the backyard of a blue-collar neighborhood early in South Philadelphia in the summer of 1973, the comedy-drama focuses on the 21st birthday celebration of Harvard student Francis Geminiani. In attendance are his divorced father Fran and Fran's widowed girlfriend Lucille, next-door neighbor Bunny Weinberger and her overweight son Herschel, and Francis' classmates, the wealthy WASP Hastings siblings; Judith (who seeks romance with Francis) and Randy (the object of Francis' unexpressed affection), who have arrived unexpectedly, much to their friend's dismay. All are dysfunctional to varying degrees, and the interactions among them provide the play with its comic and dramatic moments.
Cast
- Madeline Kahn as Bunny Weinberger
- Rita Moreno as Lucille Pompi
- Robert Viharo as Nick Geminiani
- Alan Rosenberg as Francis Geminiani
- Sarah Holcomb as Judith Hastings
- David Marshall Grant as Randy Hastings
- Timothy Jenkins as Herschel Weinberger
Reception
Leonard Maltin awarded the film two stars.[2]
References
- Canby, Vincent (2 May 1980). "Film: 'Gemini' Transferred to Screen:Growing Pains". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- Maltin, Leonard (2017). Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide: The Modern Era. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9780525536192.page 588
- Arnold, Gary (3 May 1980). "'Gemini': Crass of '80". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 December 2020.