Wanda Nevada

I have to say I'm not sure what to make of this film after seeing Peter Fonda with Brooke Shields at the tender age of 14 making this film in the title role. Does the concept jailbait have any meaning here?

The film is set in the more innocent early 50s, in fact 1950 as one of our villains is worried about just getting a draft notice for Korea. Gambler/Drifer Peter Fonda winds young Brooke Shields in a poker game and then Brooke happens to get the map and some gold nuggets courtesy of a recently deceased Paul Fix. Fonda and Shields decide to go prospecting in the Grand Canyon.

You know had Wanda Nevada been cast with someone Brooke's age as the lead, say Christopher Atkins for instance this film might have worked as a kid's adventure film. But with Fonda or anyone his age the movie is strange at best.

Henry Fonda plays a grizzled old prospector with a beard like Gabby Hayes which completely covers his face together with goggle glasses. But his voice is unmistakable. He's only got one scene with his son and Wanda Nevada as mediocre and strange as it is has some historical significance as a joint project with father and son. Sister Jane did a whole lot better with On Golden Pond.

The story starts in 1950's Nevada with Wanda Nevada (13-year-old Brooke Shields) primping in front of a barber shop mirror while her current companion , Slade is in a heated poker game in the back room with gambler and con man Beaudray Demerille (Peter Fonda). Slade runs out of money and uses nubile Wanda as a marker . Demerille wins the hand, but Slade claims that he cheated and takes place a violent confrontation . It results in Demerille grabs his winnings, including Wanda , and takes off in his Studebake ; after that, , both of whom are going to prospect in the Grand Canyon . Along the way , they are pursued by two greedy , botcher crooks : Ruby (Luke Askew) , and Strap (Ted Markland) . By the way , they meet a grizzled varmint appearance briefly from a popular daddy (Henry Fonda). A Pro & a Con - The rest is history !.

A sentimental adventure with fantastic events , brief touches of humor , supernatural Indians and gold prospecting in which our two protagonists go to the Grand Canyon to look for richness . Romantic drama following the fortunes of a swindler , Peter Fonda , who wins and drags teen Shields in a poker game , then they set out to prospect for gold , along the way they enjoy wonderful and rocky landscapes in the Grand Canyon . The picture relies heavily on the strange and unusual relationship betwen a mature drifter and a very young girl . In fact , when the film was made Brooke Shields was barely 13, and Fonda was 38, so he was in fact 25 years older. In this flick were any more laid-back it would be nonexistent . Nice and sympathetic interpretations from Peter Fonda as a drifter named Beaudray Demerille who wins a young orphan named Wanda in a poker game , while Brooke Shields is fine as the obstinate , feisty teenager. As Shields in her usual form form-stellar for a shampoo comercial. They are nicely accompanied by an enjoyable support cast , such as : two likeable , bumbling cons performed by Luke Askew , Ted Markland , the beautiful Fiona Lewis , veteran Paul Fix , Severn Darden as a leering old man , and special mention for Henry Fonda, Peter Fonda's father , plays an old prospector in the Grand Canyon , being Peter and Henry's only movie together .

Highlights the colorful and brilliant cinematography by Michael Butler shot on several locations in Prescott, Arizona, Monument Valley, Utah , Mexican Hat, Utah, Glen Canyon, Utah, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, Colorado River, Moab, Utah, USA . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Peter Fonda. Peter Fonda was born Hollywood royalty , as the only son of classic , iconic movie star Henry Fonda. Like his notorious elder sibling Jane , he had a tense relationship with his dad . Unlike Jane he didn't have his own On Golden Pond (1981) to share with his father . Their only film together was this some forgotten Wanda Nevada . Not that Peter's career was without its own hits and flops , having commercial and creative peaks. This famous actor began what would become a famous association with Roger Corman, starring in ¨Wild Angels¨ , with Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern, and Diane Ladd ; later on , Fonda starred in Corman's 1967 psychedelic film ¨The Trip¨, also starring Dern and Susan Strasberg . Fonda's next project was the seminal 1969 anti-establishment film ¨Easy Rider¨ which he produced and co-scripted, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Fonda directed his first feature film, The Hired Hand, in 1971. A critically acclaimed western in which he also starred. Other directing credits include the science fiction feature ¨Idaho Transfer¨, starring Keith Carradine and ¨Wanda Nevada¨ in which he starred as a gambler who wins Brooke Shields in a poker game.

This movie is absolutely adorable. Having seen it many times throughout the years, each time I find more fun and silliness in it. The silly and animated acting reminds me somewhat of "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken", another great adventure film. It is not meant to be a "romance movie" as it is too ridiculous, but more an adventure, with breathtaking scenery. Peter Fonda's part of a 35 year old or so gambler, never does anything to abuse or hurt Wanda, "Brooke Shields" who is coming of age and wants to see the world and be a star. He is very respectful of her and respects her younger age. The only one who really announces his desire to "have her" is the sidekick of the bad guys, who ends up dead hanging on a cross. Bo and Wanda both are looking for the "Pot O Gold" in their lives, and happen to partner up. She brings out the good luck charm and they end up happy together, yeah, so there is a slight difference in age, there is no sex or nastiness in the movie. The so called "bad acting" that some people mention is their hamming it up to add to the script. I think they are having a great time with it, and those of you that think it's so bad, lighten up and have a laugh. Maybe you'll enjoy life more.

For some strange reason, the odd couple consisting of Peter Fonda and Brooke Shield works in this movie. The movie plot is basically a fantasy and you shouldn't try to see it as a western or a drama. Both of them somehow wind up being partners in a gold prospecting trip inside the Grand Canyon. Brooke Shields is portrayed in her usual role as a much more mature than her natural age girl, who's an even match to the older prospector played by Peter Fonda. The comical part is the way she tries to sell herself as an adult to Fonda, and eventually Fonda takes her in as his partner. The plot may not work for mature audiences in this country, but in other parts of the world, such genre exists as fantasy/adventure and might be getting high marks. I give two thumbs up for Brooke Shields and Peter Fonda.

OK,I'm prejudiced.I watched this movie in Livingston,Montana when it came out in the local theatre.There were a few rather rowdy folks behind me in an otherwise pretty empty house and they were being a bit noisier than I liked.After a few pointed stares and shushes as the movie started I got PO'D and turned around and flat told them to "shut the Hell up!".It was with some chagrin that about two minutes later I recognized Peter Fonda on screen as the guy sitting behind me.........

Now,context.The movie is set in the early 50's(Studebaker Hawks etc) and the relationship between the Fonda character and the Shields character reflects/mirrors that between jerry lee Lewis and his child bride and Elvis Presley and Priscilla! Either it is totally coincidental or Old Petey was at least trying to be prescient.

Yes it is a kinda dopey movie but I did enjoy it,not just because Peter was sitting behind me (He is a darn nice guy,not at like his nasty sister) but it was just a rather harmless bit of fun movie.Nuff said. John