The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

1972
PG
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

2.8K

YOUR RATING

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)

A middle-aged misfit struggles to raise her daughters, one popular and the other a promising science student.

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Drama

Middle-aged misfit Beatrice Hunsdorfer struggles to raise her two daughters, popular epileptic Ruth and promising science student Matilda, in this film version of Paul Zindel's stage play.Middle-aged misfit Beatrice Hunsdorfer struggles to raise her two daughters, popular epileptic Ruth and promising science student Matilda, in this film version of Paul Zindel's stage play.Middle-aged misfit Beatrice Hunsdorfer struggles to raise her two daughters, popular epileptic Ruth and promising science student Matilda, in this film version of Paul Zindel's stage play.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

2.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 2 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 0:58

Trailer

Photos14

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The play was originally produced in Houston in 1964. The movie version filmed in 1972, directed by Paul Newman and starred his wife, Joanne Woodward , and his daughter Elinor (Nell Potts). Woodward won the award for Best Actress at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

Goofs
When Beatrice arrives at her sister-in-law Caroline's house, we see Caroline and her three bridge-playing friends in one shot. Later, when Beatrice yells at her brother-in-law through the bathroom door, we see the three ladies a second time in a reaction shot. Only one of them appears in both shots, although wearing a different outfit each time. The other two card-playing friends were played by different extras in each shot.

Quotes
Matilda: No Mama, I don't hate the world.

Crazy credits
The 20th Century Fox logo plays without the fanfare.

Connections
Referenced in The Carol Burnett Show: Family Show without Guests (1973)

Soundtracks
The Stars and Stripes Forever
(uncredited)
Written by John Philip Sousa

User reviews44

Featured review

a very bitter pill that won't go down with ease.

The old saw "there are no guarantees in life" is given a sad example in this film, wherein we find Joanne Woodward, widowed mother of two, slipping through the cracks of her own life with her daughters in tow. Through a bleary haze of booze-soaked self-defeat, she commands change in her life but is unwilling(and/or possibly unable)to grab the reins. Woodward's performance is sterling...unrestrained, though not at all hammy. Her character is initially entirely unlikable, though in the end, she has found a place in the pity-corner of our hearts...she is a fragile and vulnerable soul who has tragically broken into many virulent and dejected pieces.

For people who enjoy strong character studies, THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS is a dexterously directed must-see mini-classic. Understand, though, that it is quite emotionally daunting, and may touch a bit too close to home for certain viewers...a stark and brutally honest portraiture of human wreckage and its many damaging effects. Beneath the downcast surface, however, lies a glint of optimism in the form of the younger daughter's quiet perseverance...although she suffers, she has a strong constitution and will likely overcome her emotionally malnourished upbringing.

Stellar cinema. 8.5/10