Charly

• Cliff Robertson: Charles Gordon
• Claire Bloom: Alice Kinnian
• Leon Janney: Dr. Richard Nemur

Charly Charly based on the novel by Daniel Keyes, who had thus expanding its own short story Flowers for Algernon ( Flowers for Algernon, 1959). Charly tells the story of a mentally retarded, which is highly intelligent with a new method of treatment and despite the use of this genius can not prevent a reversal development occurs and he falls back on the mental level of a child.

The short story ( plot )

The mentally retarded Charlie Gordon, who works as a cleaner in a factory in New York to take part in a spectacular experiment to triple his IQ, which will grant his fondest wish: to become as intelligent as the people in his environment. To this end he attended a night school and followed the months running test, the peak should be an operation. The two senior doctors Nemur Strauss and want to Charlie keeps a diary, which he began on March 15. The entire short story consists exclusively of these diary entries. The reader may here observe the development of the 37 -year-old Charles at the writing style. At first he makes very many errors in grammar and spelling. Of course, his language is rather primitive. Throughout history, the OP is getting closer, with Charlie already making progress here because of evening classes and tests in the laboratories of the doctors. He's there to do with the mouse Algernon at which the same experiment has also been carried out, and in which the effect of the increase of intelligence has indeed been observed. After surgery, the main character is smarter with each passing day, soon it exceeds the capabilities of doctors and his teacher, Miss Kinnian, light years. He authored academic papers, learning all kinds of languages ​​and dives into the psychology or philosophy. All the time he will be clearer about his former stupidity and the fact that his "friends " it only held for a fool. Sometimes the genius in love with Miss Kinnian and is snubbed at the inability of Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss, always be good, benevolent character is expressed.

Towards the end of the short story, however, the first symptoms of the decline of intelligence can be seen if Algernon; soon passes away, the white mouse. Charlie Gordon is easy to see that this process will continue to use him, he noticed how he forgets his knowledge day by day. His desperate situation the reader is very clear here ( "Please ... please, God ... "). Finally, he reached again the mental level of a small child, though it may have improved slightly compared to the beginning of the diary entries. He decided on July 28 to leave New York to escape the sympathy of his acquaintances.

Reviews

" Sentimental precious tearjerker of art and crafts style, with the heart-rending story is just an excuse for conventional cinema entertainment. "

Awards

• The Hugo Award short fiction category was awarded in 1960 for the short story.
• Cliff Robertson won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role.
• The film also took part in the 1968 competition of the Berlinale, was at the award ceremony but left empty-handed.

Others

• ALGERNON is, the mouse to which the operation was first performed, which led to an increase of the IQ three times. The title of the short story ( " Flowers For Algernon "), which the reader also becomes apparent only at the end by the way, comes from Charlie's last request ( in his diary ) out occasionally to lay flowers on the grave Algernon, which in the backyard he his has created the house.
• Meanwhile, there is a TV film (2000) and a play on the template.