Goodbye, Columbus *** (1969, Richard Benjamin, Ali MacGraw, Jack Klugman) – Classic Movie Review 10,143

Director Larry Peerce’s 1969 comedy drama of class differences Goodbye, Columbus stars Richard Benjamin as librarian Neil Klugman, who romances rich gal Brenda Patimkin (Ali MacGraw) in 1950s New York suburbs, and upsets her parents.

This freshly acted, carefully detailed Jewish comedy is based on Philip Roth’s novella. The witty, frank screenplay by Arnold Schulman was Oscar nominated for Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

The two young stars appear to notable effect in their first star roles (though it wasn’t a first movie for MacGraw, who had played Melody, uncredited, in A Lovely Way to Die), while Jack Klugman as her character’s father, Nan Martin as her mother, and Michael Meyers as her brother score strongly too. MacGraw won the 1970 Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer – Female. She is reported to have been paid just $10,000 for the film. It grossed $22,939,805 at the US box office.

Benjamin re-appeared in the film another of Philip Roth’s stories: Portnoy’s Complaint (1972).

Also in the cast are Lori Shelle, Monroe Arnold, Royce Wallace, Sylvie Strause, Kay Cummings, Anthony McGowan, Mari Gorman, Jan Peerce, Michael Nurie.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,143

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