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

[oildude]

Paul Newman's award winning drama The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972) arrives on Blu-ray on February 20, 2018, from Twilight Time. This will be a limited edition of 3000 units. This will be a brand new 4K transfer.

Modified plot summary from IMDb.....From the Pullizer Prize winning play by Paul Zindel, this is the story of Beatrice Hunsdorfer and her daughters, Ruth and Matilda. A middle-aged widowed eccentric, Beatrice is looking for her life in the classified ads while all about her is the rubble of an unkempt house. All she needs is the right opportunity, she says puffing on a cigarette. Poorly equipped to survive the vagaries of modern life, she has nonetheless always managed to muddle through. Ruth, epileptic and making her way through the rebellious phase of adolescence, seems doomed to make the same mistakes as her mother. The younger daughter, Matilda 'Tillie' Hunsdorfer, on the other hand, is quiet, shy, and intelligent. Tillie is supported by her teacher, Mr. Goodman, in achieving academic excellence. The title of the film is also the subject of Matilda's science project at school and serves as a metaphor for the way life affects each of us differently. "Jesus, don't you hate the world, Matilda?" Beatrice asks her youngest daughter. "No, Mama," Matilda says, "I don't hate the world."

Directed by Paul Newman

Starring:

Joanne Woodward (The Three Faces of Eve, The Long Hot Summer, The Fugitive Kind)
Nell Potts - this was the stage name of Eleanor Newman, daughter of husband and wife Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Roberta Wallach - the daughter of Eli Wallach, in her film debut
David Spielberg (Hustle, Law and Disorder, and many 1970s and 1980s television movies and shows)

Music by Maurice Jarre, whose many film scores include Lawrence of Arabia, The Year of Living Dangerously, Sundays and Cybele, Eyes Without a Face, The Train, Ryan's Daughter, Dr. Zhivago, and The Man Who Would be King.


Where to buy (or pre-order):

• Twilight Time website: http://www.twilighttimemovies.com

• Screen Archives Entertainment: http://www.screenarchives.com

Trailer

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

[javi92]

Never seen this. Weird title, but definitely interested. Not familiar with Newman's directorial efforts, so I'll probably check it out.

[Jobla]

This is one of my favorite films from the 1970's, although it's atypical of that decade. Those who like THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Paul Newman later directed a superb film adaptation of that play) would probably like EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS.

I actually prefer Newman's slightly variant film adaptation to Paul Zindel's original play.

This film was never even released on US VHS, let alone DVD.

Day One for me!

[Fred Sliman]

A frustratingly hard to find item for Newman/Woodward completist for decades, this is one of two extreme Fox rarities in one set of announcements for Twilight Time. I’m enjoying the direction that 2018 seems to be heading.

[Aunt Peg]

It's been out on DVD in France for sometime now, with removable French subtitles and a very nice print.

Will be updating to the Blu Ray though.

[tama]

This film recently received a 4K scan from Fox. No doubt this disc will be sourced from that.

[Gerby]

Super film, hope someone in the UK eventually releases this one.

[Jobla]

I've read that both EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS and THE INCIDENT are receiving new 4K transfers, so these new Blu-rays should be superior to the existing foreign pressings of these films (a French PAL DVD of GAMMA RAYS, and Asian and British PAL's of THE INCIDENT).

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Pre-order date: Wednesday, February 7th at 4 pm EST

Where to buy (or pre-order):

• Twilight Time website: http://www.twilighttimemovies.com

• Screen Archives Entertainment: http://www.screenarchives.com

Special Features: Isolated Music & Effects Track / Original Theatrical Trailer / Brand New 4K Transfer

[NoirFan]

Also coming from Indicator, on 4/23

[Jobla]

I've preordered it from SAE.

[javi92]

Was gonna grab the TT, but think I'll opt for the Indicator disc instead. Announced just in the nick of time.

[wonkavision]

I haven't seen this since I was a young kid. Very deep and moving film. Just ordered it.

[spanky87]

Just a heads up that the Indicator release is region B locked.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

My review of the Indicator disc:

Paul Newman directs and Joanne Woodward stars in 20th Centory Fox's "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" (1972). Based on Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, the film focuses on Beatrice Hunsdorfer (Joanne Woodward), a frustrated single mom of two girls (Both great: Nell Newman, Paul Newman's and Joanne Woodward's daughter, and Roberta Wallach, daughter of Eli Wallach) and head of a dysfunctional family. We follow the girls struggling with growing up under their abusive, over-bearing mother. The film retains the structure of the original play, focusing on a small core cast and the Hunsdorfers' house. "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" shows a family on the brink of society and therefore feels very New Hollywood to me.

Video
Indicator provide us with a gorgeous transfer by courtesy of 20th Centory Fox. The movie was recently remastered and restored by Fox in 4K, and it shows. The picture likely looks the sharpest it will ever look, and the film grain looks absolutely beautiful. Grain and sharpness are very good throughout the whole film, even in dark scenes (of which there are many).

Audio
Indicator give us a lossless LPCM mono audio. The film is dialogue-only and does not have any music besides a marching band playing Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" at one instance. That being said, the dialogue is clear and there are no issues with the audio track. For those who also want or need subtitles, there are new English SDH subtitles on the disc.

Extras
Indicator advance over the previous release from American label Twilight Time by adding the following supplements:
• Audio commentary with film historian Adrian Martin
• The John Player Lecture with Paul Newman (1972): archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Joan Bakewell at London’s National Film Theatre
• The Guardian Interview with Joanne Woodward (1984, 65 mins): archival audio recording of an interview conducted by Tony Bilbow at the National Film Theatre
• Cannes Film Festival Press Conference (1973, 2 mins): archival footage in which Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward discuss their approach to making the film
• Isolated music and effects track *
• Original TV spot *
• Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
• Limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with new essays by Johnny Mains and Bethan Roberts, a profile of writer Paul Zindel, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
* already on the Twilight Time release
These are all good extras. I would have loved to have a short 20 min essay on the movie as well (I always like those), but Adrian Martin already covers a lot of information in his commentary track.

Overall Conclusion
Indicator have given us the definitive edition of this lesser-known New Hollywood gem. It has been available for as little as £5 in recent Indicator sales. Apparently, people are not too interested in this title. A major mistake in my opinion. Get this gorgeous blu-ray while you can!

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Originally Posted by Jobla

This is one of my favorite films from the 1970's, although it's atypical of that decade.

Sorry for quoting this old post, but would you (or another user) mind explaining how this film is atypical of the decade? When I think of the 70s and New Hollywood cinema, I think of precisely these smaller dramas focusing on people on the brink of society.

[KMR]

Originally Posted by Cecil B. DeMille

Sorry for quoting this old post, but would you (or another user) mind explaining how this film is atypical of the decade? When I think of the 70s and New Hollywood cinema, I think of precisely these smaller dramas focusing on people on the brink of society.

I agree, CB. I consider this movie to be VERY 1970s.

[B25]

I do think it has a bit of a mid to late 60s feel, with a sort of Edward Albee/Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? theatrical quality, studiedly stagey "actors exercise" dialogue delivery, deliberately quirky "outsiders" and so on.

[beamish13]

Newman was a hugely underrated director. I love Rachel, Rachel and The Glass Menagerie, too

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by B25

I do think it has a bit of a mid to late 60s feel, with a sort of Edward Albee/Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? theatrical quality, studiedly stagey "actors exercise" dialogue delivery, deliberately quirky "outsiders" and so on.

And terribly self-conscious. Plus Woodward always went over the top. I think that's why as an older limited edition release it never sold out, even at £5 during one particular Powerhouse sale.