''The Sterile Cuckoo'' (released in the UK as ''Pookie'') is a 1969 American comedy-drama film by producer-director Alan J. Pakula that tells the story of an eccentric young couple whose relationship deepens despite their differences and inadequacies. It stars Liza Minnelli, Wendell Burton, and Tim McIntire. The film was adapted by

Alvin Sargent Alvin Sargent (April 12, 1927 – May 9, 2019) was an American screenwriter. He won two Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, for ''Julia'' (1977), and ''Ordinary People'' (1980). Sargent's other prominent works include screenplays of th ...

from the 1965 novel by John Nichols, directed by Pakula in his directing debut, and was released by Paramount Pictures. The film received two Oscar nominations for the 42nd Academy Awards: Liza Minnelli for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Fred Karlin & Dory Previn's song " Come Saturday Morning" (performed by the Sandpipers) for Best Original Song.

Plot

Mary Ann "Pookie" Adams is a quirky oddball who meets quiet, reserved Jerry Payne while waiting for a bus heading to their colleges; both are freshmen and their colleges are near each other. Jerry immediately sees that Pookie is different, even strange: she lies to a nun on the bus so the nun will switch seats with her. As Jerry is beginning to settle into college life with his roommate, Charlie Schumacher, the aggressive Pookie arrives unannounced one Saturday morning. Pookie and Jerry spend much time together over the weekend, and soon begin to see each other regularly. Jerry falls in love with Pookie, but their different personalities start to pull them apart. After they have sex, Pookie tells Jerry she might be pregnant. When the pregnancy scare is over, Jerry wants to spend spring break alone to catch up on his studies. Pookie pleads to stay with him, and he relents. A week alone with the needy, somewhat unstable Pookie makes Jerry realize that they need time apart. Later he discovers that she has dropped out of school, and he finds her in the same boardinghouse where she had been staying the first time she visited him. He puts her on a bus for home and the young lovers part ways.

Cast

* Liza Minnelli as Mary Ann "Pookie" Adams * Wendell Burton as Jerry Payne * Tim McIntire as Charlie Schumacher

Production

Much of ''The Sterile Cuckoo'' was filmed at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. Some of it was filmed in Sylvan Beach, New York, including the

Sylvan Beach Union Chapel Sylvan Beach Union Chapel is a historic interdenominational church building located at Sylvan Beach in Oneida County, New York. It opened on July 3, 1887, and worship services have been held there every summer since then.Ontario State Bank Block The Ontario State Bank Block was a historic commercial building located at 300 South Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California. The building, completed in 1887, was composed of three sections, and had a design which incorporated elements of the Eastla ...

at 300 South Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California.

Reception

The film was well-received by critics. It grossed $14 million in the United States and Canada, making it the 13th highest-grossing film of 1969.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
Filming of The Sterile Cuckoo at Hamilton College
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sterile Cuckoo, The 1969 films 1960s coming-of-age comedy-drama films 1960s teen comedy-drama films American coming-of-age comedy-drama films American teen comedy-drama films 1960s English-language films Films based on American novels Films directed by Alan J. Pakula Films scored by Fred Karlin Films set in New York (state) Films shot in New York (state) Films set in universities and colleges Paramount Pictures films Films with screenplays by Alvin Sargent 1969 directorial debut films 1969 comedy films 1969 drama films 1960s American films