A Harvard kid's 21st birthday goes sideways when WASPs crash his South Philly backyard — chaos ensues.
Filmed version of the hit Broadway show with two of the original stars. Set in the backyard of a blue collar South Philadelphia neighborhood early in the summer of 1973, the comedy-drama focuses on the 21st birthday celebration of Harvard student Francis Geminiani. In attendance are his divorced blue collar father Fran and Fran's widowed girlfriend Lucille, next-door neighbor Bunny Weinberger and her overweight son Herschel, and Francis' classmates, the wealthy WASP Hastings siblings; Judith (who seeks romance with Francis) and Randy (the object of Francis' unexpressed affection), who have arrived unexpectedly, much to their friend's dismay. All are dysfunctional to varying degrees, and the interactions among them provide the play with its comic and dramatic moments.
Acting
Danny Aiello's Fran — equal parts charm and emotional wreckage.
Writing
Albert Innaurato's sharp-tongued dialogue, preserved from the stage.
Production
Intimate backyard set that traps everyone together beautifully.
Director
Barnet Kellman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Broadway production ran over 1,800 performances and made Danny Aiello a star; this TV film preserves his original performance alongside Scott Baio, who replaced Matthew Broderick in the stage version.
Gemini arrived at the tail end of the 'ethnic family comedy' boom (think Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs), but its barely-veiled queer protagonist made it quietly radical for 1980s mainstream theater.
US
