History of Love Story (1970 film) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 20, 2026

Love Story (1970) centers on the romance between Oliver Barrett IV, a wealthy Harvard student, and Jenny Cavilleri, a Radcliffe student from a working-class background. Their love faces disapproval from Oliver's father, leading to his disinheritance. Despite financial struggles, they marry and build a happy life. Tragedy strikes when Jenny is diagnosed with a terminal illness. The film follows their emotional journey as they cope with her impending death, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and loss. The iconic line, 'Love means never having to say you're sorry,' encapsulates the film's romantic ideal.

1939: Gone With the Wind film

In 1939, Gone With the Wind was released.

1939: Love Affair film

In 1939, Leo McCarey's Love Affair was released.

1945: Kevin O'Neal birth

In 1945, Kevin O'Neal, Ryan O'Neal's younger brother was born, and had a bit part in the film. He passed away in 2023.

1957: An Affair to Remember film

In 1957, Leo McCarey's remake of Love Affair, An Affair to Remember, was released.

1959: Ben-Hur film

In 1959, Ben-Hur was released.

1960: Bill Cleary Olympic Hockey

In 1960, Bill Cleary was a U.S. Olympic hockey star.

May 1969: Casting and Director Selection

In May 1969, Robert Evans of Paramount Pictures sought a young actor for the lead role in Love Story, initially considering Beau Bridges or Jon Voight. Larry Peerce was initially set to direct but was later replaced by Anthony Harvey, who also left the project. Eventually, Arthur Hiller took on the directing role.

September 1969: Hiller to Direct; Novelization Announced

In September 1969, it was announced that Arthur Hiller would direct Love Story and that Harper and Row would publish a novelized version of the script in February of the following year to help promote the film.

November 1969: O'Neal Cast After Extensive Search

In November 1969, Robert Evans stated that after reviewing 1,000 actors, Ryan O'Neal was chosen for the lead role in Love Story.

November 18, 1969: Start of Filming

On November 18, 1969, filming for Love Story commenced on location in Cambridge, Boston, and New York. It marked the first time a film received permission to film at Harvard. The ice skating rink scenes for the Harvard vs. Cornell game were filmed at Hamilton College.

1969: Easy Rider Release

In 1969, Easy Rider was released. Arthur Hiller stated that if Love Story had come out a few years earlier, it would have been "run over by the motorcycles" of films like Easy Rider.

1969: Social Climate

In 1969, the feeling in the US was one of disagreement and hate.

February 3, 1970: Filming Completed

On February 3, 1970, filming for Love Story was completed.

December 16, 1970: Love Story Film Release

On December 16, 1970, Paramount Pictures released Love Story. It achieved substantial critical and commercial success, securing nominations for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for O'Neal, and Best Actress for MacGraw. The film's theme song, "(Where Do I Begin?) Love Story", also received two Grammy Award nominations.

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1970: Airport film

In 1970, Airport was released.

1970: Release of Love Story Novel

In 1970, Erich Segal adapted his novel into the American romantic drama film Love Story, directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal. The film revolves around the tragic relationship between Harvard students Oliver Barrett IV and Jenny Cavilleri.

1970: Social Climate

In 1970, the feeling in the US was one of disagreement and hate.

1970: Love Story novel publication

In 1970, the novelization of Love Story was published in time for Valentine's Day and became a bestseller.

1970: Jennifer Name Popularity Spike

In 1970, the popularity of the name Jennifer in North America spiked, attributed to the film's female protagonist.

June 23, 1971: General Release in the United States

On June 23, 1971, Love Story went into general release in the United States, expanding to additional theaters and grossing $1,660,761 in five days. It returned to number one at the US box office for another 3 weeks.

October 1971: Mad Magazine Parody

In October 1971, Mad magazine published a parody of Love Story titled "Lover's Story," which depicted Ali MacGraw's character as suffering from "Old Movie Disease," which made her grow more beautiful as she died.

1971: The Carol Burnett Show Take-Off

In 1971, The Carol Burnett Show featured a take-off of Love Story called "Lovely Story", with Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman in the lead roles.

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October 1, 1972: Love Story Broadcast on ABC

On October 1, 1972, Love Story was first broadcast on ABC television, becoming the most-watched film on television at the time. It surpassed Ben-Hur (1959), with 27 million homes watching, achieving a Nielsen rating of 42.3 and an audience share of 62%.

1973: Love Story TV Series Premiere

In 1973, NBC broadcast Love Story, a short-lived romantic anthology television series of the same name, although it was unrelated to the novel or film.

1974: Love Story TV series end

In 1974, Love Story TV series ended.

1976: Gone with the Wind film

In 1976, Gone with the Wind surpassed Love Story in ratings.

1977: Oliver's Story Novel Publication

In 1977, Erich Segal released a novel titled Oliver's Story.

1978: Oliver's Story Film Release

In 1978, Oliver's Story, a sequel to Love Story, was released. The original film is considered to be one of the most romantic films by the American Film Institute.

1978: Release of Oliver's Story Film

In 1978, the sequel film Oliver's Story, based on Segal's 1977 novel, was released. The film begins with Jenny's funeral and follows Oliver as he finds new love with Marcie Bonwit.

1980: Harvard Filming Restrictions

In 1980, following damage to trees during the filming of Love Story and later A Small Circle of Friends, Harvard University implemented stricter restrictions on filming on campus.