Retro Lady Love: The Goldie Hawn Era

Though Goldie Hawn, much like her partner in life Kurt Russell, had first caught her big break working for Disney (they both appeared in The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, 1968) It really wasn't until TV's Laugh-In (also 1968) until she really caught people's attention... among other things!

Her first feature film during her Laugh-In run was Cactus Flower (1969), and she was so memorable that she nabbed an Oscar Nomination for her Supporting role. Next up was There's A Girl In My Soup (1970), a latter Peter Sellers vehicle where she was the only real bright spot. $ (Dollars) (1971) was next and she was paired with star Warren Beatty. Butterflies Are Free came out in 1972, and I feel that was the movie where her sparkling performance lynch pined her way into moviegoers hearts. The Girl From Petrovka (1974) has over time become an obscure Romance (with Hal Holbrook!) and Steven Spielberg's The Sugarland Express (also 1974) showed she really had some dramatic range.  Hal Ashby's Shampoo (1975) was another great Hawn role, and she managed to stand out even with Lee Grant's powerhouse Oscar Winning performance. Hawn herself picked up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.


Thus begins the Golden Hawn golden era!

The Duchess And The Dirtwater Fox (1976) might not be the most memorable film in her canon, it's undeniably a Goldie Hawn picture. George Segal was the go-to guy in 70's films, but here he never had a chance. She really left him hanging!

Ah, Foul Play (1978)...  This is arguably the one that really started it all, but by 1978 Goldie Hawn's gift for comedy was already well honed. And it really comes alive here. The nuttiness and sheer joy of Foul Play will stay with you forever.

Private Benjamin (1980) was such an immeasurable success for Goldie Hawn. The film did boffo box office, she nabbed an Oscar Nomination for best actress and she become a real force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. But mostly, she made us all laugh and fall in love with her all over again. 

Seems Like Old Times (1980) was the second pairing of Goldie & Chevy Chase, and although they have great chemistry, this Neil Simon picture lacks the real wacky fun of Foul Play. Wait, who's that chick on the poster?

Best Friends (1982) finds Goldie paired up with mega-star of the time, Burt Reynolds, in this romantic comedy-drama directed by Norman Jewison. Goldie gets to show both her funny and her acting chops in this low-key but entertaining film.

Goldie Hawn works with another great director in Swing Shift (1984) with Jonathan Demme, but also alongside her man, Kurt Russell. I was never crazy about this film, but the actors, especially Goldie & Kurt, are all really dynamite together.

Protocol (1984) was probably Goldie's first real "vehicle" since Private Benjamin, and it's actually rather fun. Who could resist her mega-cuteness... and high-waisted shorts?! Goldie Hawn grew up in Washington DC, and this film is a nice little homecoming for her.

Goldie Hawn + The Sports Movie = WildCats (1986) 

And the formula really works. Don't be too disturbed (excited) if you get to see a naked Goldie Hawn in a bathtub!

Overboard (1987) has Goldie re-teaming with Kurt Russell in this moderately successful comedy. It's a fun enough movie, though one that you may be already tired of... I remember this film getting such heavy TV and Cable play. I'm sure it's on right now...

Bird On A Wire (1990) was the inexplicable pairing of Goldie and Mel Gibson... It's an unbalanced mix of comedy and action with only some amusing moments. The poster art looks as if Goldie Hawn is being uncomfortably assaulted from behind by Mel Gibson, who himself looks like he just stepped off the set of Lethal Weapon 2... Which he probably just did.

Deceived (1991) marks Goldie Hawn's first and only real suspense thriller. And you know what, I enjoyed this slick film. It may be of the junior Hitchcock variety, but at least it's entertaining, well made and with Goldie as watchable as always.

CrissCross (1992) also has Goldie Hawn breaking away from the comedy a bit in this drama for yo momma flick. I wish I could remember more about it, but at least Goldie was trying to stretch as an actress.

Why did they take this long to pair these two up? HouseSitter (1992) finds Goldie and Steve Martin mining some Comedy gold. The film may be a bit genteel, but it's actually really funny and Goldie is really winning here. It's a movie I can probably watch over and over, and have anytime it's on.

I would say Death Becomes Her (1992) marks the end of the Goldie Hawn golden era. I'm not the biggest fan of this Robert Zemeckis film, but there's some fun to be found. Especially any scenes between Goldie and Meryl Streep as their hatred for each other outlives their demises.

 Goldie posed for the cover of playboy in 1985.

It was one of their highest selling issues.

A few years later, Goldie found some box office success in her next film, The First Wives Club (1996). That same year she worked with Woody Allen in the Comedy/Musical Everyone Says I Love You. Goldie Hawn directed her first and only film to date, Hope in 1997. She returned to comedy and paired with Steve Martin again with the tepid The Out-Of-Towners remake in 1999. Town & Country (2001) was next up. Her third film with Warren Beatty and a notorious train wreck of a movie. I didn't find it so awful but it certainly isn't all that good, either. And finally, her last role to date was in The Banger Sisters (2002) A fun little comedy where she had excellent on-screen chemistry with co-star Susan Sarandon. Goldie Hawn nabbed her first Golden Globe nomination since 1983 (for Best Friends) it was also her ninth nod!

Goldie & Kurt at a Death Proof event

A lot like Cary Grant, Goldie (unofficially) retired from acting once her age started to catch up with her, and that's a pretty graceful exit. She hasn't totally plastic surguried all up like some other actresses (cough, Meg Ryan) just to keep her career going. She's happy with who she is and that's that. And isn't her and Kurt Russell's the strongest Hollywood relationship like ever? And they aren't even officially married. Kudos to them!

We still have Goldie's wide range of fun movies to watch. Some that can be played over and over, and others that might surprise us. Whether she was doing comedy or drama, she's always been a great performer, and your eyes, no matter where she is on the screen, go right to her. You've gotta love her.

 aww, aren't they cute?