The Day of the Locust (1975)
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64% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(2,086 ratings)
The Day of the Locust is anything but a cheerful, light look at Hollywood in the '30s. It recreates both the town as well as the filmmaking world around which much of the town revolved with devastating accuracy. The movie tells the twin tales of talentless wannabe actress Faye Greener (Karen… More The Day of the Locust is anything but a cheerful, light look at Hollywood in the '30s. It recreates both the town as well as the filmmaking world around which much of the town revolved with devastating accuracy. The movie tells the twin tales of talentless wannabe actress Faye Greener (Karen Black) and Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland), a lovelorn accountant who couldn't care less about movies. Around this framework, a huge and intricate social network is tellingly revealed, until the film's gruesome and tragic ending. Not for those who prefer to hang onto their illusions about the glory days of Hollywood, The Day of the Locust, based on the novel by Nathanael West, is a must-see for serious film buffs. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Schlesinger
- Written By
- Waldo Salt
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1975 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Magnificent production, combined with excellent casting and direction, make The Day of the Locust as fine a film (in a professional sense) as the basic material lets it be.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The narrative is often confused and confusing.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Schlesinger has conceived his film as an epic, which was a daring thing to do with such slender material.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A painfully misconceived reduction and simplification.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Accurately captures the intent of West's dark masterpiece.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Donald Sutherland
as Homer
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Karen Black
as Faye Greener
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Burgess Meredith
as Harry Greener
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William Atherton
as Tod Hackett
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Geraldine Page
as Big Sister
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Richard Dysart
as Claude Estee
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Bo Hopkins
as Earle Shoop
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Pepe Serna
as Miguel
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Lelia Goldoni
as Mary Dove
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Billy Barty
as Abe
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Gloria Le Roy
as Mrs. Loomis
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John Hillerman
as Ned Grote
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Dick Powell Jr.
as Dick Powell
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Bill Baldwin
as Announcer at Premiere
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Wally K. Berns
as Theatre Manager
- Morgan Brittany
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Alvin Childress
as Butler
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Nicholas Cortland
as Projectionist
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DeForest Covan
as Shoeshine Boy
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John War Eagle
as The Gingos
- Jerry Fogel
- Angela Greene
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Jackie Earle Haley
as Adore
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Grainger Hines
as French Lieutenant
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Jane Hoffman
as Mrs. Odlesh
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Bob Holt
as Tour Guide
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Paul Jabara
as Nightclub Entertainer
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Jonathan Kidd
as Undertaker
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Florence Lake
as Lee Sister
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Norman Leavitt
as Mr. Odlesh
- Robert Pine
- Roger Price
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Gyl Roland
as Girl
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Natalie Schafer
as Audrey Jennings
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Queenie Smith
as Palsied Lady
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Gloria Stroock
as Alice Estee
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Nita Talbot
as Joan
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William Castle
as Director
- Dennis Dugan
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David Ladd
as Apprentice
- Byron Paul
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Robert O. Ragland
as Guests at Audrey Jennings
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Paul Stewart
as Helverston
- Ina Gould
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Wally Rose
as Assistant Director
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Kenny Solms
as Boy in Chapel
- Virginia Baker
- Fred Scheiwiller
- Margaret Willey
- Richard A. Dysart