The Loons Are Calling: A Deep Dive into On Golden Pond

The Movie Club

We talk loons, life, and laughter in our breakdown of On Golden Pond. From Norman’s biting wit to Ethel’s enduring patience, we cover the legendary cast, iconic lines, and hilarious movie quirks. If you’ve ever wondered how loons could steal a show, this episode’s for you!
By the Numbers: On Golden Pond (1981)

• Total budget spent: $15 million
• Gross revenue: $119 million worldwide
• Box office revenue: $119 million
• Streaming revenue: Not publicly available
• Awards won: 3 (Academy Awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay)

Main Cast:

• Henry Fonda as Norman Thayer
• Katharine Hepburn as Ethel Thayer
• Jane Fonda as Chelsea Thayer Wayne
• Doug McKeon as Billy Ray
• Dabney Coleman as Bill Ray
• William Lanteau as Charlie Martin

Fun Facts:

• This was Henry Fonda’s final film role, and he won his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor.
• Jane Fonda bought the rights to the play On Golden Pond because it reminded her of her relationship with her father, Henry Fonda.
• The iconic loons heard throughout the movie became a symbol of the film and are often referenced in popular culture.
• Katharine Hepburn performed all her own stunts, including diving into the cold lake, at the age of 74.
• Fonda wore a hat in the film that was given to him by Hepburn; it originally belonged to her late husband.
• The lake scenes were filmed on Squam Lake in New Hampshire, even though the movie is set in Maine.
• Jane Fonda’s relationship with her father paralleled the father-daughter dynamic in the movie, adding emotional depth to her performance.
• The movie earned $119 million globally, making it the second-highest-grossing film in the U.S. in 1981.

Movie Mistakes:

• The setting is meant to be Maine, but palm trees can be seen in some scenes, revealing the actual filming location in New Hampshire.
• During the film, the lake's water level changes between scenes, despite no weather or time lapse to account for the difference.
• At the gas station, Ethel drives the boat there, but Norman is driving it on the way back without any transition scene showing why.
• In some scenes, Henry Fonda’s character wears sunglasses, but they disappear and reappear between cuts without explanation.

Key Takeaways:

• On Golden Pond was the second-highest-grossing film in the U.S. in 1981, earning over $119 million globally against a modest budget of $15 million.
• Henry Fonda won his first and only Oscar for Best Actor at age 76, making him the oldest actor to win in this category. It was a poignant performance in his final film role.
• Katharine Hepburn won her fourth and final Academy Award for Best Actress, marking a career highlight in one of her last major roles.
• The film was a passion project for Jane Fonda, who purchased the rights to the play specifically to act alongside her father, Henry Fonda.
• The loons featured throughout the film became a symbol of the peaceful yet complex family dynamics at the heart of the story.
• Adapted from Ernest Thompson’s play, the film stayed true to its source material and won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
• Shot on Squam Lake in New Hampshire, the scenic backdrop added authenticity and serenity to the family drama.
• Hepburn performed all her stunts, including the memorable scene where she falls into the lake, showcasing her physical resilience at the age of 74.
• On Golden Pond explores heavy themes of aging, dementia, and family reconciliation, resonating deeply with audiences across generations.
• The on-screen chemistry between Henry and Jane Fonda mirrored t