A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
Encyclopedia
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a 1982 film written, directed by and starring Woody Allen
.
The plot is loosely based on Ingmar Bergman
's Smiles of a Summer Night
. This was the first of 13 movies that Allen would make starring Mia Farrow
. Farrow's role was originally written for another famous Allen lead actress, Diane Keaton
, but she was busy promoting her film Reds and preparing to begin production on Shoot the Moon
. It also marks the first appearance of Allen as an ensemble performer in his own film, as previously he had either been the lead character or did not appear in his films.
Julie Hagerty
, Mary Steenburgen
, Tony Roberts
and Jose Ferrer
co-starred.
The film was nominated for one Razzie Award: Worst Actress for Mia Farrow. This was the one and only time a Woody Allen film has ever been nominated for a Razzie. Unlike other Warner-released Orion films, whose rights were retained by their original theatrical distributor, this film, as well as Zelig
, is owned by Orion's successor, MGM
Woody Allen
Woody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
.
The plot is loosely based on Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
's Smiles of a Summer Night
Smiles of a Summer Night
Smiles of a Summer Night a.k.a. Smiles on a Summer Night is a 1955 Swedish comedy film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It was the first of Bergman's films to bring the director international success, due to its exposure at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival...
. This was the first of 13 movies that Allen would make starring Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow is an American actress, singer, humanitarian, and fashion model.Farrow first gained wide acclaim for her role as Allison Mackenzie in the soap opera Peyton Place, and for her subsequent short-lived marriage to Frank Sinatra...
. Farrow's role was originally written for another famous Allen lead actress, Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
, but she was busy promoting her film Reds and preparing to begin production on Shoot the Moon
Shoot the Moon
Shoot the Moon is the title of the fourth album by singer-songwriter Judie Tzuke, released in April 1982. It was Tzuke's first album for Chrysalis Records, after leaving Elton John's label Rocket Records...
. It also marks the first appearance of Allen as an ensemble performer in his own film, as previously he had either been the lead character or did not appear in his films.
Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty is an American actress and former model.-Early life:Hagerty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Harriet Yuellig, a model and singer, and Jerry Hagerty, a musician. Her brother Michael Hagerty was also an actor. Her parents later divorced. Hagerty attended Indian Hill High...
, Mary Steenburgen
Mary Steenburgen
Mary Nell Steenburgen is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demme's Melvin and Howard, which earned her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.-Early life:...
, Tony Roberts
Tony Roberts
Tony Roberts may refer to:*Tony Roberts , American actor*Tony Roberts , British author of the Casca series *Tony Roberts , Welsh football player...
and Jose Ferrer
José Ferrer
José Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintrón , best known as José Ferrer, was a Puerto Rican actor, as well as a theater and film director...
co-starred.
The film was nominated for one Razzie Award: Worst Actress for Mia Farrow. This was the one and only time a Woody Allen film has ever been nominated for a Razzie. Unlike other Warner-released Orion films, whose rights were retained by their original theatrical distributor, this film, as well as Zelig
Zelig
Zelig is a 1983 American mockumentary film written and directed by Woody Allen, and starring Allen and Mia Farrow. Allen plays Zelig, a curiously nondescript enigma who is discovered for his remarkable ability to transform himself to resemble anyone he's near.The film was shot almost entirely in...
, is owned by Orion's successor, MGM
Plot
It is the early 1900s. Distinguished philosopher Leopold (José Ferrer) and his much younger fiancée, Ariel (Mia Farrow), are going to spend a weekend in the country with Leopold's cousin Adrian (Mary Steenburgen) and her crackpot inventor husband Andrew (Woody Allen). Also on the guest list is womanising doctor Maxwell (Tony Roberts) and his latest girlfriend, free-thinking nurse, Dulcy (Julie Hagerty). Over the course of the weekend, old romances reignite, new romances develop, and everyone ends up sneaking off behind everyone else's backs.Cast
- Woody AllenWoody AllenWoody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
as Andrew - Mia FarrowMia FarrowMia Farrow is an American actress, singer, humanitarian, and fashion model.Farrow first gained wide acclaim for her role as Allison Mackenzie in the soap opera Peyton Place, and for her subsequent short-lived marriage to Frank Sinatra...
as Ariel - José FerrerJosé FerrerJosé Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintrón , best known as José Ferrer, was a Puerto Rican actor, as well as a theater and film director...
as Leopold - Julie HagertyJulie HagertyJulie Hagerty is an American actress and former model.-Early life:Hagerty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Harriet Yuellig, a model and singer, and Jerry Hagerty, a musician. Her brother Michael Hagerty was also an actor. Her parents later divorced. Hagerty attended Indian Hill High...
as Dulcy - Tony RobertsTony Roberts (actor)David Anthony "Tony" Roberts is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in several Woody Allen movies, usually cast as Allen's best friend.-Early life:...
as Maxwell - Mary SteenburgenMary SteenburgenMary Nell Steenburgen is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demme's Melvin and Howard, which earned her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.-Early life:...
as Adrian - Adam Redfield as Student Foxx
- Moishe Rosenfeld as Mr. Hayes
- Timothy Jenkins as Mr. Thomson
- Michael HigginsMichael Higgins (actor)Michael Patrick Higgins was an American actor who appeared in film and on stage, and was best known for his role in the original Broadway production of Equus.-Early life:...
as Reynolds - Sol Frieder as Carstairs
- Boris Zoubok as Purvis