A mischievous, adventuresome fourteen-year-old girl and her best friend begin following an eccentric concert pianist around New York City after she develops a crush on him.A mischievous, adventuresome fourteen-year-old girl and her best friend begin following an eccentric concert pianist around New York City after she develops a crush on him.A mischievous, adventuresome fourteen-year-old girl and her best friend begin following an eccentric concert pianist around New York City after she develops a crush on him.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
- Doorman
- (as Jerry Jerrett)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character of Henry Orient was inspired by real-life concert pianist Oscar Levant. Nora Johnson, who wrote the novel on which the movie was based (and co-wrote the screenplay with her father, Nunnally Johnson), said that she and a friend had a crush on Levant when they were schoolgirls.
- GoofsDuring his concert, Henry's hair changes back and forth from neat to messed up.
- Quotes
[Val induces a fantasy about Gil's divorced parents]
Val Boyd: Think your Dad will ever come back?
Marian Gilbert: Why can he? He's married and has a couple of kids.
Val Boyd: But how do you know he's happy?
Marian Gilbert: He's crazy about her.
Val Boyd: I know, but just suppose he suddenly realized his second marriage was a tragic mistake. His eyes are opened at last, and he knows now that your mother is the only woman he's ever loved in his whole life.
Marian Gilbert: I don't think there's much chance of that.
Val Boyd: So there's nothing to do but tell her the truth... the scond wife I mean. He's simply got to go back to the only woman he's loved in his whole life. Good-bye, second wife.
Marian Gilbert: You think that's really possible?
Val Boyd: Well, he's got no other choice. He can't go living a lie, can he? He's got to go back to his one true love.
Marian Gilbert: Maybe, during Christmas.
Val Boyd: Chirstmas Eve maybe.
Marian Gilbert: About 6:00.
Val Boyd: You and your mother are all alone trimming the tree, when suddenly the doorbell rings.
Marian Gilbert: I'd be the one to go and answer it.
Val Boyd: But you'd be wondering 'who on earth it could be,' because you weren't expectign anyone. He'd open the door, and he'd be standig there simply loaded with presents. And before you could say anything, he'd say, 'Shhhh,' because he wants to surprise your mother. At first, he'd give you a big hugh, just as tight as he could.
Marian Gilbert: And them Mom would come down wondering who it was, beause she'd be wondering why she didn't hear anybody say anything.
Val Boyd: And for a long time, they'd just stand there and stare at each other not saying anything.
Marian Gilbert: They wouldn't have to.
Val Boyd: [sighing mid-sentence] And then he'd take her in his arms, and rain kisses on her upturned face, and they'd just... love each other to death right there at the front door.
- Crazy creditsintroducing MERRIE SPAETH as "Gil" TIPPY WALKER as "Val"
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (1982)
- SoundtracksHenry Orient Concerto
Music by Ken Lauber (as Kenneth Lauber)
Conducted and orchestrated by Ken Lauber (uncredited)
as an adult. The story of two young girls who sweetly stalk a
concert pianist, played with insane panache by Peter Sellars, is
one of the nicest coming-of-age movies of that era. Set in New
York, her is a surprisingly sophisticated and gentle comedy you'll
enjoy over and over again.
Sellars's clueless, womanizing virtuoso never strikes a false
comic note. He's wildly inventive, never more so than in his
scenes with the gorgeous Paula Prentiss as the way-too-nervous
object of his lust. Playing a married woman who is flattered by his
attentions, Prentiss manages to look glamorous and on the verse
of a nervous breakdown all at once. Why this spectacularly gifted
comic actress didn't make it to the top is a mystery to me.
Angela Lansbury's socialite bitch of a mother is another one of her
classic nasty lady roles. Nobody can look down her nose with the
authority of Lansbury. Yes she got found acceptance and respect
on Broadway and on television, but she was a first-rate character
actress on screen too.
Tom Bosley is sympathetic as Tippy Walker's father and Phyllis
Thaxter exudes motherly warmth as Mary Spaeth's divorced Mom.
The Walker and Spaeth should have had futures as screen
actors. Alas, it was not to be. But they are delightful as the young
girls on the verse of womanhood, with a terrific crush on an
undeserving idol.
Nora and Nunnelly Johnson's script (he of course, a Hollywood
legend) wrote a sharp, funny and observant screenplay that is
respectful of teenagers and the adults. George Roy Hill is not a
great director, but when given good material, he rises to the
occasion as he does here. A real gem.
- gregorybnyc
- May 17, 2004
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Henrys Liebesleben
- Filming locations
- The Brearly School, 610 E. 83rd Street, New York City, New York, USA(School bus drop-off at end of opening credits)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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