Butterflies Are Free

Butterflies Are Free
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMilton Katselas
Screenplay byLeonard Gershe
Based onButterflies Are Free
by Leonard Gershe
Produced byM. J. Frankovich
Starring
CinematographyCharles B. Lang
Edited byDavid Blewitt
Music byBob Alcivar
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • July 6, 1972 (1972-07-06)
Running time
109 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.2 million
Box office$6.7 million (US and Canada rentals)

Butterflies Are Free is a 1972 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Milton Katselas from a screenplay by Leonard Gershe, based on Gershe's 1969 play. The film stars Goldie Hawn, Eileen Heckart, and Edward Albert. It follows Jill Tanner (Hawn), a free-spirited young woman who becomes romantically involved with her new next-door neighbor, a blind man named Don Baker (Albert), who has recently moved out to live on his own. However, Don's overly protective mother (Heckart) tries to end their romance, fearing that Jill will break her son's heart.

The film was released in the United States on July 6, 1972, by Columbia Pictures. For her performance, Heckart won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 45th Academy Awards. While the original play was set in East Village, Manhattan, the screenplay written for the film was set in the 1355, 1355A, 1357, 1359 Grant Avenue building in North Beach, San Francisco.