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F.I.L.M. showcases The Sterile Cuckoo, shot on the Hamilton College campus in 1969

By Ghada Emish ’19

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F.I.L.M. showed its first film last Sunday, Sept. 18 with the screening of The Sterile Cuckoo—a film adapted from a novel of the same name by Hamilton alum John Nichols ’62. Hamilton received a sixteen-millimeter print of The Sterile Cuckoo as a gift from alum David Shepard ’62. Most of the film’s shots were also taken on the Hamilton campus.
Pookie, played by Liza Minnelli, is quite an unconventional girl, daring and passionate, although she initially seems nosy and terribly goofy. She approaches Jerry, played by Wendell Burton, a guy whom she sees at a bus stop. Jerry is awestruck by her energy and spontaneity, until they become close. Although Pookie feels she is socially awkward and is unable to appreciate her physical appearance, she achieves a secure sphere with Jerry. It is not clear what attracted her to Jerry in the first place, but it is quite tangible how their relationship is gratifying.
It later becomes clear that Pookie suffers from a mental disorder as a result of her father’s contemptible disregard for her emotional well-being. He hardly talks to her or provides any support for her. Our initial skepticism of Pookie’s goofy manner turns into admiration and respect that she is able to have such energy and optimism despite the absence of familial support in her life.
Pookie’s insecurities are at their height in the transition from adolescence to adulthood that she is experiencing in college life. The film addresses the distinctly hyperactive way Pookie deals with her insecurities. At the same time, in exploring the reasons behind her insecurities, the film encourages the audience to be gentle and thoughtful in the way they treat or view others, especially those who seem relatively different or strange.
Some of the easily identifiable shots in the film are the inside of Spencer House, South Hall and Sage Rink. Hamilton alumni who were present during the shooting of the film attended the screening on Sunday. John von Bergen ’63 produces outstanding wind noise from his mouth that sounds quite realistic. Von Bergen mentioned that he showed his distinctive skill to Minnelli during shooting at Hamilton. “And Liza, not to be outdone, ate her napkin!” he said. Apparently, Minelli is quite a determined lady.
Minelli’s most impressive scene in The Sterile Cuckoo was modified by Hamilton’s summer rain. There is a phone call in which Pookie begs Jerry to spend Easter Break with him on campus lest she spend the break by herself. According to one of Hamilton’s alumni, this scene was meant to be shot outside on a bench, but because of the rain, the crew decided to change the scene to a phone call. This change is quite favorable, since it mostly focused on Pookie’s emotional collapse and showcased Minnelli’s wonderful acting skills.
According to Scott MacDonald, professor of art history and cinema studies and director of F.I.L.M., The Sterile Cuckoo was produced at a time when Hollywood filmmakers were responding to Japanese cinema, which explains why the film does not embody the conventional “Hollywood feel.” One particularly disruptive element in the film is the undue repetition of the theme song “Come Saturday Morning” by The Sandpipers. Jerry’s character is certainly underrepresented. As viewers, we do not develop 18any understanding of the way he sees Pookie or feels about her. Although the end is indecisive, it does not matter much compared to viewers’ understanding of the obstacles Pookie overcomes and the awe her courage arises in us.

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