IMDb RATING
7.1/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
A drifter and a faded film star, both traumatized by Hollywood, arrive to the guy's hometown, where the old bitter memories revive again.A drifter and a faded film star, both traumatized by Hollywood, arrive to the guy's hometown, where the old bitter memories revive again.A drifter and a faded film star, both traumatized by Hollywood, arrive to the guy's hometown, where the old bitter memories revive again.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 7 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Did you know
- TriviaBecause of its then-shocking subject matter, this film was given a pre-MPAA-rating advisory by the MPAA, which prohibited anyone under the age of 18 from attending. This was the equivalent of an X (later NC-17) rating. By today's standards, the film is tame enough that, when shown on Turner Classic Movies, it's rated TV-PG.
- GoofsIn the beginning of the movie as Chance is driving, he sees a sign saying "You Are Now Leaving Florida." The multi-lane highway runs very close to the beach with no buildings in between the road and beach and dozens of oil pumps adjacent to the highway. This clearly was filmed in southern California.
- Quotes
Chance Wayne: I like you. You are a nice monster.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sweet Bird of Youth: Chasing Time (2006)
- SoundtracksEbb Tide
(1953) (uncredited)
Music by Robert Maxwell
Performed by Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra as background music several times
Featured review
Tennessee Williams does it again; great cast too
Directed by Richard Brooks (Elmer Gantry (1960)), who also wrote the screenplay for this Tennessee Williams play, this above average drama with Paul Newman in the title role features Ed Begley's Academy Award winning Supporting Actor performance (on his only nomination). Geraldine Page received a Best Actress nomination, and Shirley Knight (The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960)) received her second Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Paul Newman plays a former young stud who returns to the Southern town of his youth after years of failing while attempting to make it as an actor in the movies. He's got a former, frequently drunk and/or high, aging actress (Page) in tow. As her gigolo and driver, he's still trying to use her to get what he wants in the film industry, trading on his looks and sex for her connections. Once home, however, he seeks out his former girlfriend (Knight), who happens to be the daughter of the biggest man in town, and one of the biggest in the whole state, Tom 'Boss' Finley (Begley). Finley more or less ran Newman's character out of town all those years ago and, with help from his son Tom Jr. (Rip Torn), won't hesitate to do it again. I won't spoil the reason why, nor reveal what happens in the end. Though neither is pleasant, it's the kind of delicious just desserts that Williams always has for his flawed protagonists. Begley is terrific as the hypocritical moralist, and Page is a kick, especially after her character regains her self- confidence. Madeline Sherwood plays 'Boss' Finley's mistress and twice AA Supporting Actress nominee Mildred Dunnock plays his sister.
Paul Newman plays a former young stud who returns to the Southern town of his youth after years of failing while attempting to make it as an actor in the movies. He's got a former, frequently drunk and/or high, aging actress (Page) in tow. As her gigolo and driver, he's still trying to use her to get what he wants in the film industry, trading on his looks and sex for her connections. Once home, however, he seeks out his former girlfriend (Knight), who happens to be the daughter of the biggest man in town, and one of the biggest in the whole state, Tom 'Boss' Finley (Begley). Finley more or less ran Newman's character out of town all those years ago and, with help from his son Tom Jr. (Rip Torn), won't hesitate to do it again. I won't spoil the reason why, nor reveal what happens in the end. Though neither is pleasant, it's the kind of delicious just desserts that Williams always has for his flawed protagonists. Begley is terrific as the hypocritical moralist, and Page is a kick, especially after her character regains her self- confidence. Madeline Sherwood plays 'Boss' Finley's mistress and twice AA Supporting Actress nominee Mildred Dunnock plays his sister.
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- jacobs-greenwood
- Oct 4, 2016
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Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $60
- Runtime2 hours
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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