7.7/10
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110 user 38 critic

On Golden Pond (1981)

PG | | Drama | 12 February 1982 (USA)
On Golden Pond Poster
Norman is a curmudgeon with an estranged relationship with his daughter Chelsea. At Golden Pond, he and his wife nevertheless agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, and a most unexpected relationship blooms.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (based on his play)

Stars:

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Won 3 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 23 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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William Lanteau ...
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Sumner Todd (as Chris Rydell)
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Storyline

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea -- whom they haven't seen for years -- feels she must be there for Norman's birthday. She and her fiance are on their way to Europe the next day but will be back in a couple of weeks to pick up the fiance's son. When she returns Chelsea is married and her stepson has the relationship with her father that she always wanted. Will father and daughter be able to communicate at last? Written by Dale O'Connor <daleoc@interaccess.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

summer | cottage | vacation | marriage | bikini | See All (41) »

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A TRIPLE ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER! See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

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Language:

Release Date:

12 February 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Am goldenen See  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Gross:

$119,285,432 (USA)
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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Henry Fonda (Norman Thayer, Jr.) and Jane Fonda (Chelsea Thayer Wayne) were the first parent and child to receive Academy Award acting nominations for the same film. This was for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively. The only other time that this has happened was when Diane Ladd and Laura Dern were both later Oscar nominated for Rambling Rose (1991). See more »

Goofs

When then mailman comes earlier in the movie, the screen door is broke; but a few scenes later you can see when the door is open it goes back to the closed position. Later on it is broken again. See more »

Quotes

Chelsea Thayer Wayne: It just seems like we've been mad at each other for so long...
Norman: I didn't think we were mad; I just thought we didn't like each other.
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Connections

Referenced in The Golden Girls: Two Rode Together (1989) See more »

Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Sung by all for Norman's birthday
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User Reviews

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely
15 October 2000 | by – See all my reviews

This film is just so nice to watch. The plot is fairly simple, as is the direction. The script just serves as the frame for Hepburn and Fonda.

To say their performances are out of this world is probably the wrong way to say it. They are just so gentle and sweet. This film convinced me of their sheer quality.

They had made only a handful of films between them over the last decade or so. To come out of retirement and do something like that is unbelievable. I can only assume that their performances are so similar to what they are in real life that it wasn't really acting.

If you are at all a fan of Fonda or Hepburn, you must see this film. You must see it. It will put you in a better mood.
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