Goldengirl
Encyclopedia
Goldengirl is a 1979 film directed by Joseph Sargent
, loosely based on a science-fiction novel by Peter Lear, a pseudonym of Peter Lovesey. The screenplay was by John Kohn, with music by Bill Conti
.
This was the film debut of Susan Anton
, who starred in the title role opposite James Coburn
.
It was reviewed on June 15, 1979 by Vincent Canby
of the New York Times, who wrote: " 'Goldengirl' is a very intelligent movie of its kind, written and directed in the same brisk style that marked Mr. Sargent's earlier Colossus: The Forbin Project
."
From childhood, Goldine's father has injected her with vitamins and hormones. Now that she is grown, it is time to give her a test run. Serafin declares that his "goldengirl" will enter and win three races at the 1980 Moscow Olympics (which in real life went ahead without U.S. participation, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan).
To subsidize his work, Serafin sells shares in his daughter's future to a syndicate of businessmen, who send merchandising expert Dryden to look out for their interests. Goldine's personal and emotional development, meanwhile, is left in the hands of a psychologist, Dr. Lee.
Goldine competes in Moscow, with unexpected results.
pageant. Except for minor movie and television roles, she was best known for starring and singing in TV commercials for Muriel Cigars.
The 5-foot, 11-inch blonde Anton was not an athlete but was seen as a perfect physical specimen to portray Goldine Serafin, who in the film is said to be 6-feet, 2-inches tall. She earned a 1980 Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture—Female.
Olympic track-and-field stars Dwight Stones
and Bob Beamon
make cameo appearances in the film, as does tennis great John Newcombe
.
Joseph Sargent
Joseph Sargent is an American film director. He has directed many television movies, but his best known feature film works are probably White Lightning, MacArthur, Nightmares and Jaws: The Revenge, with his most popular film being The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He has won four Emmy Awards...
, loosely based on a science-fiction novel by Peter Lear, a pseudonym of Peter Lovesey. The screenplay was by John Kohn, with music by Bill Conti
Bill Conti
William "Bill" Conti is an American film music composer who is frequently the conductor at the Academy Awards ceremony.-Early life and career:...
.
This was the film debut of Susan Anton
Susan Anton
-Youth:Anton attended Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, California, and graduated in 1968. After high school, Anton attended San Bernardino Valley College...
, who starred in the title role opposite James Coburn
James Coburn
James Harrison Coburn III was an American film and television actor. Coburn appeared in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances during his 45-year career, and played a wide range of roles and won an Academy Award for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction.A capable,...
.
It was reviewed on June 15, 1979 by Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby was an American film critic who became the chief film critic for The New York Times in 1969 and reviewed more than 1000 films during his tenure there.-Life and career:...
of the New York Times, who wrote: " 'Goldengirl' is a very intelligent movie of its kind, written and directed in the same brisk style that marked Mr. Sargent's earlier Colossus: The Forbin Project
Colossus: The Forbin Project
Colossus: The Forbin Project is an American science fiction thriller film. It is based upon the 1966 novel Colossus, by Dennis Feltham Jones, about a massive American defense computer, named Colossus, becoming sentient and deciding to assume control of the world.-Plot:Dr. Charles A...
."
Plot summary
A scientist and neo-Nazi doctor named Serafin has developed a way to create a physically superior human being. He tests it out on his adopted daughter Goldine.From childhood, Goldine's father has injected her with vitamins and hormones. Now that she is grown, it is time to give her a test run. Serafin declares that his "goldengirl" will enter and win three races at the 1980 Moscow Olympics (which in real life went ahead without U.S. participation, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan).
To subsidize his work, Serafin sells shares in his daughter's future to a syndicate of businessmen, who send merchandising expert Dryden to look out for their interests. Goldine's personal and emotional development, meanwhile, is left in the hands of a psychologist, Dr. Lee.
Goldine competes in Moscow, with unexpected results.
Video Releases
Golden Girl was released on VHS, but has not been released on DVD or otherwise.Cast
- James CoburnJames CoburnJames Harrison Coburn III was an American film and television actor. Coburn appeared in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances during his 45-year career, and played a wide range of roles and won an Academy Award for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction.A capable,...
as Jack Dryden - Leslie CaronLeslie CaronLeslie Claire Margaret Caron is a French film actress and dancer, who appeared in 45 films between 1951 and 2003. In 2006, her performance in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit won her an Emmy for guest actress in a drama series...
as Dr. Sammy Lee - Susan AntonSusan Anton-Youth:Anton attended Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, California, and graduated in 1968. After high school, Anton attended San Bernardino Valley College...
as Goldine - Curt Jurgens as Serafin
- Robert CulpRobert CulpRobert Martin Culp was an American actor, scriptwriter, voice actor and director, widely known for his work in television. Culp first earned an international reputation for his role as Kelly Robinson on I Spy , the espionage series in which he and co-star Bill Cosby played a pair of secret agents...
as Esselton - Harry GuardinoHarry GuardinoHarry Guardino was an American actor whose career spanned from the early 1950s to the early 1990s. In 1964, he was cast in a short-lived CBS series entitled The Reporter, a drama about a hard-hitting investigative journalist named Danny Taylor. His principal co-star was Gary Merrill as city...
as Valenti - Jessica WalterJessica WalterJessica Walter is an American actress, known for the films Play Misty for Me, Grand Prix, and for her role as Lucille Bluth on the sitcom Arrested Development...
as Melody
Production
Susan Anton was a beauty queen, winner of Miss California and second runnerup in the 1969 Miss AmericaMiss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
pageant. Except for minor movie and television roles, she was best known for starring and singing in TV commercials for Muriel Cigars.
The 5-foot, 11-inch blonde Anton was not an athlete but was seen as a perfect physical specimen to portray Goldine Serafin, who in the film is said to be 6-feet, 2-inches tall. She earned a 1980 Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture—Female.
Olympic track-and-field stars Dwight Stones
Dwight Stones
Dwight Edwin Stones is an American television commentator and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and former three-time world record holder in the men's high jump. During his 16-year career, he won 19 national championships. In 1984, Stones became the first athlete to both compete and announce at...
and Bob Beamon
Bob Beamon
Robert "Bob" Beamon is an American former track and field athlete, best known for his world record in the long jump at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, which remained the world record for almost 23 years until it was broken in 1991 by Mike Powell. This is the second longest holding of this record, as...
make cameo appearances in the film, as does tennis great John Newcombe
John Newcombe
John David Newcombe, AO, OBE is a former World No. 1 tennis player.-Biography:He won seven Grand Slam singles titles, A natural athlete, Newcombe played several sports as a boy until devoting himself to tennis. He was the Australian junior champion in 1961, 1962, and 1963 and was a member of...
.