Wanda Nevada movie storyline. In the American Southwest of the 1950s, middle-aged vagabond Beaudray Demerille (Peter Fonda) survives as a cardsharp who moves from town to town. But his latest victory brings him unwanted spoils in the form of Wanda Nevada (Brooke Shields), a fiery 13-year-old. At first Beaudray does everything he can to ditch Wanda — until the girl chances upon a treasure map. But Wanda and Beaudray aren’t the only ones after the loot, and they must contend with a ruthless pair of crooks.
Wanda Nevada is a 1979 American Western film directed by Peter Fonda, who co-stars alongside Brooke Shields as the eponymous character, with Fiona Lewis, Luke Askew, Ted Markland, Severn Darden, Paul Fix, Henry Fonda, Larry Golden, Bert Williams, Jason Clark, H. Samuel Hackin and Charles Lawry in supporting roles. This was Fonda’s last feature film as director.
Parts of the film were shot in Glen Canyon, Monument Valley, Mexican Hat and the Colorado River in Utah, as well as Prescott, Arizona. Henry Fonda makes a cameo appearance as an Arizona prospector, making it the only film to feature the father and son together. Peter Fonda reportedly paid Henry $1,000 for one day’s work on the film after receiving a call from his father that he was out of work.
About the Story
Set in 1950s Arizona, the story follows a drifter and gambler named Beaudray Demerille. In a card game, he wins the movie’s title character, Wanda Nevada, a 13-year-old orphan with dreams of singing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Despite his best efforts, Wanda sticks to Demerille, accompanying him to a pool hall. Texas Curly, an aging prospector, enters and tells the bar patrons about his gold mine in the Grand Canyon. They laugh him off as a drunk. As Curly leaves the bar, he drops a pouch. Wanda picks it up and follows Curly, then sees Strap Pangburn and Ruby Muldoon, two cons from the bar, harassing the man about the location of the mine.
Wanda runs when Strap and Ruby kill Curly, alerting them to her presence. She hides in Demerille’s car and tells him about Curly’s death. Strap and Ruby see Wanda in the car but get lost in the chase. Stopped for the night, Demerille and Wanda open Curly’s pouch and find a map. They head to the Grand Canyon and trade the car for pack mules and mining supplies. Strap and Ruby follow by half a day.
While traveling in the canyon, Demerille and Wanda meet Dorothy Deerfield, a Life magazine photographer. Dorothy and Demerille try to get better acquainted after dinner in her tent, but jealous Wanda intrudes. They discuss their pasts, with Dorothy’s husband and Wanda’s father both killed during military service. Demerille tries to be nice but comes off as insensitive, and he and Wanda leave camp in the morning.
They find a rope ladder over the canyon’s side leading to a small cave. Before going down, Wanda confesses to Demerille that she loves him. He holds the rope as she rappels down the rock wall. An owl flies out at her and Wanda falls, but Demerille pulls her up only to find that she is unconscious. He sits cradling Wanda and says he loves her, too.
Demerille explores the cave and finds gold. He returns to find Wanda awake and shows her a large gold piece. While mining the next day, Strap and Ruby finally catch up to them. Wanda and Demerille return to camp with four bags of gold, only to find their mules gone. They throw the bags into the canyon in case someone is watching, then start walking. Strap and Ruby hold them at gunpoint and demand the gold, but Wanda insists there was none. A shootout leaves everyone unharmed.
Wanda Nevada (1979)
Directed by: Peter Fonda
Starring: Brooke Shields, Peter Fonda, Fiona Lewis, Luke Askew, Ted Markland, Severn Darden, Paul Fix, Henry Fonda, Larry Golden, Bert Williams, Jason Clark, H. Samuel Hackin, Charles Lawry
Screenplay by: Dennis Hackin
Production Design by:
Cinematography by: Michael Butler
Film Editing by: Scott Conrad
Set Decoration by: Thomas L. Roysden, Arrigo Breschi
Art Direction by: Lynda Paradise
Music by: Ken Lauber
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: United Artists
Release Date: May 25, 1979
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