Mike Nichols’ 1967 breakthrough film, The Graduate, was a surprise blockbuster that signaled to studios baby Boomers were ready for more than Walt Disney movies. The film boosted the careers of Dustin Hoffman & Katherine Ross (making them A-list stars overnight) as well as providing a huge lift to the musical careers of Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel (and indirectly resulting in an acting career for Garfunkel).
But here are a few things you might not know about it:
1.) The film’s legendary ending came about by accident. Much has been written about The Graduate’s ending, where Benjamin & Elaine board a bus and then look at each other in a prolonged nervous silence that seems to indicate this isn’t a traditional happy ending. Still, there may be problems for these two down the line.
That ending was never planned. It came about because, on the day that scene was filmed, director Mike Nichols couldn’t be there. He left the film’s editor, Sam O’Steen in charge. O’Steen, very green when it came to directing, didn’t know enough to call out “cut,” so Hoffman and Ross sat there for several moments unsure if the scene was over or, really, what to do next.
When Nichols saw the footage, he liked it and left it in the film.
2.) Hoffman had to give up a part in Mel Brooks’ original version of The Producers to take the part in The Graduate. Brooks had cast Hoffman as Franz Leibkind, the German playwright, a small but flashy part in the film. He totally understood why Hoffman wanted to give that part up to take a lead role. Besides, Hoffman would be appearing with a co-star who was Brooks’ wife, Anne Bancroft!
3.) Mrs. Robinson was really only 6 years older than Benjamin. Although Benjamin is supposed to be a recent college graduate, Hoffman himself was 29 when he got the part. And Bancroft, at 35, was younger than the character she was playing.
4.) None of the characters who are older than Benjamin have first names. Despite boinking on a regular basis, Benjamin always calls his lover, “Mrs. Robinson.” Her first name is never mentioned. That holds true for all other characters in the film who are older than Benjamin & Elaine.
5.) Gene Hackman was cast in the film but fired. Hackman was originally set to play Mr. Robinson, but director Nichols thought he looked too young (he was actually a year older than Bancroft). So, his part was recast. Don’t feel bad for Hackman. That same year, he also had a part in a little film called Bonnie & Clyde, which launched him on a long & successful film career.
6.) That iconic leg Hoffman is looking at in the movie’s poster and the best-selling soundtrack album does not belong to Anne Bancroft. Instead, producers hired a young model for that shot and paid her $25. That model was Linda Evans, who went on the fame on Dallas and later played Mrs. Robinson in stage version of The Graduate on Broadway and London’s West End.
