MAGNET contributing writer Jud Cost is sharing some of the wealth of classic films he’s been lucky enough to see over the past 40 years. Trolling the backwaters of cinema, he has worked up a list of more than 500 titles—from the silent era through the ’90s—that you may have missed. A new selection, all currently available on DVD, appears every week.
The Graduate (1967, 106 minutes)
The Graduate, directed by Mike Nichols, was a big deal in 1967. It introduced the awkward, baby-faced Dustin Hoffman to play a recent college graduate seduced by a much older woman, Anne Bancroft. (Even though Hoffman was already 30 and Bancroft only 36.)
Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) sits in the dark in his room, in front of a glowing fish tank as the bubbles percolate around a half dozen black angel fish. As if he isn’t already a little depressed since moving back to his parents’ Los Angeles home after graduation, they are throwing him a party tonight with all their friends there.
“What’s the matter, Ben?” asks his father (William Daniels), sent in to fetch the star of the show for everyone waiting out by the pool. “Could you explain that I have to be alone for a while?” asks Benjamin. “These are all our good friends. What is it, Ben?” After a few deep breaths, Benjamin finally says, “I’m just worried. About my future. I want it to be … different.” Benjamin’s mother (Elizabeth Wilson) bustles in. “Anything wrong? The Carlsons are here. They came all the way from Tarzana,” she chirps, helping Benjamin into his suit jacket as they head downstairs. “Hey, there’s the award-winning scholar!” shouts one of the guests as Benjamin’s face glazes over.
He finally manages to retreat upstairs to his angel fish when the wife of his father’s law partner enters his room. Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft) asks him bluntly, “Benjamin, will you take me home?” “What?” he replies. “My husband took the car. Will you drive me home?” He hands her the keys to the red Alfa Romeo, a graduation present from his parents, saying, “Here, you take it, Mrs. Robinson. You know how to work a foreign shift?” She shakes her head. “No?” he sighs. “Let’s go.” She pretends to toss him the keys, but they land in the fish tank, instead.
Months later, and all Benjamin has achieved this summer is a nice tan from floating in his parents’ pool all day and a thoroughly confused libido from servicing Mrs. Robinson at night in the Taft Hotel. And, to please his parents, he’s about to go out on a date with Elaine (Katharine Ross), the Robinsons’ only daughter, a Cal Berkeley student. After making her cry by taking her to a raunchy strip club, Benjamin suddenly realizes he’s in love with this girl. “I hate myself like this. You’re the first person I could stand to be with,” he confesses. She suggests a late drink at the bar of the Taft Hotel where the staff greets Benjamin as “Mr. Gladstone.” “Are you having an affair with someone?” asks Elaine, puzzled. He confesses only half the truth, and she responds, “But it’s all over now?” “Yes,” he answers. “I’m glad,” she says.
