Goldengirl

Plot

A scientist and neo-Nazi doctor named Serafin has developed a way to create a physically superior human being. He tests it out on his adopted daughter, Goldine.

From childhood, Goldine's father has injected her with vitamins and hormones. Now that she is grown, it is time to give her a test run. Serafin declares that his "goldengirl" will enter and win three races at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

To subsidize his work, Serafin sells shares in his daughter's future to a syndicate of businessmen, who send merchandising expert Dryden to look out for their interests. Goldine's personal and emotional development, meanwhile, is left in the hands of a psychologist, Dr. Lee.

Goldine competes in Moscow, with unexpected results.

Cast

Production

The 1980 Moscow Olympics did not actually see U.S. participation, as it followed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Susan Anton was a winner of Miss California and second runnerup in the 1969 Miss America pageant. She was best known for starring and singing in TV commercials for Muriel Cigars. Anton earned a 1980 Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture—Female.

Olympic track-and-field stars Dwight Stones and Bob Beamon make cameo appearances in the film, as does Australian tennis player John Newcombe.

Reaction

It was reviewed on June 15, 1979 by Vincent Canby of The New York Times, who wrote, "'Goldengirl' is a very intelligent movie of its kind, written and directed in the same brisk style that marked Mr. Sargent's earlier Colossus: The Forbin Project."