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Bernice Bobs Her Hair

  • TV Movie
  • 1976
  • Not Rated
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
667
YOUR RATING
Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976)
Drama

Bernice, a shy young woman, leaves her safe home to go visit her flapper cousin, who tries to teach her how to be more modern.Bernice, a shy young woman, leaves her safe home to go visit her flapper cousin, who tries to teach her how to be more modern.Bernice, a shy young woman, leaves her safe home to go visit her flapper cousin, who tries to teach her how to be more modern.

  • Director
    • Joan Micklin Silver
  • Writers
    • F. Scott Fitzgerald
    • Joan Micklin Silver
  • Stars
    • Shelley Duvall
    • Veronica Cartwright
    • Bud Cort
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    667
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joan Micklin Silver
    • Writers
      • F. Scott Fitzgerald
      • Joan Micklin Silver
    • Stars
      • Shelley Duvall
      • Veronica Cartwright
      • Bud Cort
    • 7User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

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    Top cast14

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    Shelley Duvall
    Shelley Duvall
    • Bernice
    Veronica Cartwright
    Veronica Cartwright
    • Marjorie
    Bud Cort
    Bud Cort
    • Warren
    Lane Binkley
    Lane Binkley
    • Roberta
    Patrick Reynolds
    Patrick Reynolds
    • Draycott
    • (as Patrick Byrne)
    Dennis Christopher
    Dennis Christopher
    • Charley
    Polly Holliday
    Polly Holliday
    • Mrs. Harvey
    Mark La Mura
    Mark La Mura
    • Carpenter
    Murray Moston
    Murray Moston
    • Barber
    Mark Newkirk
    • Reece
    Gary Springer
    Gary Springer
    • Otis
    Leslie Thorsen
    • Genevieve
    Claudette Warlick
    • Annie
    Henry Fonda
    Henry Fonda
    • Self - Presenter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Joan Micklin Silver
    • Writers
      • F. Scott Fitzgerald
      • Joan Micklin Silver
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    6.9667
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    Featured reviews

    Cirquemm

    HOLY CRAP! what a thriller!

    I thoroughly enjoyed 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair.' The story is that of Bernice, played by the stunning Shelly Duvall, who spends the summer with her cousin, Marjorie. It ended up being a sweet and saxy summer that no one would ever forget. Marjorie decides that before her cousin leaves, she should teach her a little something about what it's like winning the men during the mid-1920's! Marjorie sasses up a big bowl of attitude when she realizes that her own friends have taken a shine to Beatrice! The story culminates at the trilling and shocking surprise ending of the movie! 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' gives us an steamy, intimate peek into the scandalous lives of the rich. This movie has everything: love, lust, adventure, exploitation, deceit, and revenge. A must see!
    7sunfloweroftherain

    Bernice is very odd

    well, we watched this movie in English class. Not only is it a movie from the 70s (you can tell from the picture quality), but it's absolutely absurd. The girl who plays Bernice is, well, either awful or incredibly good. Bernice is this sad, pathetic, horse-toothed girl who spends the summer with her pretty and popular cousin Marjorie. THe movie was slow-moving, but very funny. I laughed the entire time I watched it because Bernice was such a sad little person.She only showed true spirit at the end. If you would like to have yourself a good laugh, or don't mind losing 45 minutes of your life, this is a pretty good way to spend it. I'ts ridiculous and silly and entertaining, mostly because Bernice is the strangest person I have ever had the privilege to watch.
    7yellowcherry

    It's cute and good for a laugh.

    Wishing to lift our spirits before jumping into a heavily themed discussion about "The Great Gatsby," my teacher showed our class this short and enjoyable story. She described it as a "chick-flick" and perhaps she was right. I found it entertaining and one could easily identify with the b***hy Marjorie or timid Bernice. Marjorie was the average girl who was popular and had boys aching to dance with her, while Bernice was her homely, boring cousin staying for a summer visit. Naturally, Marjorie felt she was superior to Bernice and felt like her vapid cousin's inability to socialize was ruining her whole summer. What followed a slow beginning was a light-hearted and funny transformation of Bernice. You will be shocked at the end.

    The picture quality was rather poor and at times it was hard for a young child of the 80's like me to understand what they were saying. However, these unpleasant elements did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. The characters and plot were all believable. Although the ending was fitting and a splendid example of poetic justice, my whole class was left wanting to see more. See this film if you like to see film adaptations of Fitzgerald's and do not care for high-tech contemporary films.

    I'd give it a 7/10...for now.
    10Bernie4444

    It's 1920. Women in America have just been given the right to vote.

    Before diving into the play, PBS-produced film released as part of the esteemed American Short Story Collection, based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we get a fantastic and in-depth (yet only three-minute) forward narrated by Henry Fonda. It is worth viewing alone.

    Bernice (Shelly Duvall) seems to be a dud. She is not like her sophisticated cousin Marjorie (Veronica Cartwright). So, Marjorie helps Bernice become a cut above (taking lessons on how to become) and only then realizes what she did.

    We may all learn a lesson from this. I think I will cut my hair. Somehow I do not think it will have the same effect.
    10jate-88860

    Bernice Bobs Her Hair (TV Movie 1976)

    Shelley Duvall is perfection, as Bernice, in this 1976 TV movie adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, "Bernice Bobs Her Hair." It's only 45 minutes long, but I watched it on a streaming channel that ran it with ads (many, many ads) so, word to the wise, try to find it without commercials!

    The sets and costumes are lovely and all the actors are charming, giving it an authentic feeling of the year 1919, just as the so-called flapper age was about to begin. Socially awkward Bernice is being coached by her cousin, Marjorie, in how to become more popular. As an offhand remark, Marjorie suggests that Bernice ought to "bob" her hair...

    I found the story captivating and heartily recommend it to anyone who likes Fitzgerald, or period pieces, or Shelley Duvall. 10/10.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This short film was broadcast as an episode of the PBS television series "The American Short Story." It was hosted by Henry Fonda, who provided a 3-minute introduction to the movie. This 48-minute series version can be seen on Amazon Prime streaming.
    • Goofs
      Marjorie's braids are brunette throughout the story, but they are blond in the back seat of her car.
    • Quotes

      Warren: [very seriously] I'm at a point in my life where I don't have time for anything but the truth. Life is too short, and I'm getting too old.

      Bernice: How old are you?

      Warren: [sighs] Nineteen.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Kitten with a Whip (1994)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 5, 1977 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Бернис коротко стрижется
    • Filming locations
      • Savannah, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Learning in Focus
      • William Dern Associates
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 45m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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