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The Graduate Overview:

The Graduate (1967) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by Mike Nichols and produced by Joseph E. Levine and Lawrence Turman.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Charles Webb published in 1963.

SYNOPSIS

A satirical coming-of-age comedy that become an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the late '60s, a confused college graduate is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days after receiving his diploma. Seduced by an older friend of the family, the young man carries on an affair with the married woman even as he chases his heart's desire with her engaged daughter. This established Nichols as a major director and was Hoffman's first major role. Its impact on popular culture is immeasurable: "Plastics" will live on eternally as depressing but solid career advice, and older women will never eye younger men without fear of becoming a "Mrs. Robinson." Henry cowrote the influential screenplay based on the novel by Webb.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Graduate was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1996.

Academy Awards 1967 --- Ceremony Number 40 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorDustin HoffmanNominated
Best ActressAnne BancroftNominated
Best Supporting ActressKatharine RossNominated
Best DirectorMike NicholsWon
Best PictureLawrence Turman, ProducerNominated
Best WritingCalder Willingham, Buck HenryNominated
See More Oscar Winners

The Graduate BlogHub Articles:

The Graduate (1967)

By Beatrice on Jul 11, 2019 From Flickers in Time

The Graduate Directed by Mike Nichols Written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from a novel by Charles Webb 1967/USA Lawrence Turman Repeat viewing/my DVD collection One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Benjamin: Well, I would say that I’m just drifting. Here in the pool. Loved th... Read full article

Book Review--Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How The Graduate Became the Touchstone of a Generation

By KC on Oct 27, 2017 From Classic Movies

Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How The Graduate Became the Touchstone of a Generation Beverly Gray Algonquin Books, 2017 I had a great time reading Seduced by Mrs. Robinson, a new book by Beverly Gray that traces the production of Director Mike Nichol’s classic film The Graduate (1967) on its ... Read full article

Win Tickets to see “TCM Big Screen Classics: The Graduate (50th Anniversary)” (Giveaway runs March 24 – April 8)

By Annmarie Gatti on Mar 24, 2017 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Win Tickets to see “The Graduate” on the Big Screen! in Select Cinemas Nationwide Sunday, April 23 & Wednesday, April 26! “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.” CMH is thrilled to announce the 5th of our 14 movie ticket giveaways this year, courtesy of Fathom Events! ... Read full article

The Graduate (1967)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 4, 2016 From 4 Star Films

“You’re living at home. Is that right? Yes.  Do you know what you’re going to do? No. Are you going to graduate school? No.” ~ Elaine Robinson to Benjamin Braddock As a recently graduated person, I thought it was only pertinent to return to this landmark film to see if I cou... Read full article

The Graduate (1967)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 4, 2016 From 4 Star Films

“You’re living at home. Is that right? Yes.  Do you know what you’re going to do? No. Are you going to graduate school? No.” ~ Elaine Robinson to Benjamin Braddock As a recently graduated person I thought it was only pertinent to return to this landmark film to see if I woul... Read full article

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The Graduate Quotes:

Mr. McCleery: [after the incident with Elaine screaming] I want you outta here.
Benjamin: What?
Mr. McCleery: I want you outta here.
Benjamin: Why?
Mr. McCleery: Because I don't like you.
[closes door]
Mrs. Robinson: Would you like me to seduce you?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange.
Elaine: Good night.
Benjamin: Are we getting married tomorrow?
Elaine: No...
Benjamin: Day after tomorrow?
Elaine: I don't know. Maybe we are, and maybe we're not.
[Mrs. Robinson comes into Elaine's room, naked, and locks the door with Benjamin inside with her]
Benjamin: Oh God. Oh, let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Don't be nervous.
Benjamin: Get away from that door.
Mrs. Robinson: I want to say something first.
Benjamin: Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin, I want you to know that I'm available to you, and if you won't sleep with me this time...
Benjamin: Oh, my Christ.
Mrs. Robinson: If you won't sleep with me this time I want you to know that you can call me up anytime you want and we'll make some kind of arrangement.
Benjamin: Oh...
Mrs. Robinson: Do you understand what I...
Benjamin: Let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin, do you understand what I just said?
Benjamin: Yes! Yes. Let me out!
Mrs. Robinson: I find you very attractive.
See More Quotes from The Graduate
The Graduate Facts
Mike Nichols approached Ava Gardner for the role of Mrs. Robinson.
When Benjamin is shown banging on the church window with his arms raised and extended, many reviewers felt he was portrayed as a Christ-like image. In actuality, this was a compromise with the minister of the church. The minister had threatened to throw everyone out when the scene was rehearsed with Benjamin pounding his fists on the fragile window, which had been a gift to the church.
Paul Simon wrote two songs for the film that director Mike Nichols rejected: "Punky's Dilemma" and "A Hazy Shade of Winter". Both appear on the Simon and Garfunkel "Bookends" album. The song "Mrs. Robinson" was not written for the movie; it was the working title of a song Simon was then writing (originally called "Mrs. Roosvelt", and about Eleanor Roosevelt) and Nichols decided to include it. Simon and Art Garfunkel only sing the chorus but none of the verses of the later hit song. Additionally, the chorus portion sung contains some lyrics not featured in the more popular "final" version of the song.
In the famous promotional still for this film, Dustin Hoffman is seen in the background framed by Mrs. Robinson's shapely leg. The leg in that photo didn't belong to Anne Bancroft, however; it belonged to a then-unknown model, Linda Gray, who later played Mrs. Robinson in a London stage musical of The Graduate.
Mike Farrell's movie debut.
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