“Sweet Bird of Youth” is the story of dramatics that erupt when a young man (Paul Newman) returns to his hometown in Florida after an unsuccessful acting stint in Hollywood, California. He is accompanied by an older woman (Geraldine Page) who is also a fading movie star. They eventually meet up with his ex-girl friend (Shirley Knight) and her father (Ed Begley), the town’s political boss.
Superb direction by Richard Brooks (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” 1958) made this a superior melodrama, from an outstanding screenplay, also penned by Brooks. It was adapted from the 1959 play by Tennessee Williams. Co-stars along with Paul Newman, Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, and Ed Begley includes Rip Torn (film debut), Dub Taylor, Mildred Dunnock, Madeleine Sherwood, Philip Abbott, Corey Allen, Barry Cahill, William Forrest, Roy Glenn, Kelly Thordson, Charles Arnt, and Les Tremayne as the narrator.
The very watchable “Sweet Bird of Youth” lost money at the box office for producer Pandro S. Berman and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film was nominated for three Oscars, winning one for Ed Begley for Best Supporting Actor. Geraldine Page (Best Actress) and Shirley Knight (Best Supporting Actress) were nominated.
Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
cinema
My Review
“Sweet Bird of Youth” is the story of dramatics that erupt when a young man (Paul Newman) returns to his hometown in Florida after an unsuccessful acting stint in Hollywood, California. He is accompanied by an older woman (Geraldine Page) who is also a fading movie star. They eventually meet up with his ex-girl friend (Shirley Knight) and her father (Ed Begley), the town’s political boss.
Superb direction by Richard Brooks (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” 1958) made this a superior melodrama, from an outstanding screenplay, also penned by Brooks. It was adapted from the 1959 play by Tennessee Williams. Co-stars along with Paul Newman, Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, and Ed Begley includes Rip Torn (film debut), Dub Taylor, Mildred Dunnock, Madeleine Sherwood, Philip Abbott, Corey Allen, Barry Cahill, William Forrest, Roy Glenn, Kelly Thordson, Charles Arnt, and Les Tremayne as the narrator.
The very watchable “Sweet Bird of Youth” lost money at the box office for producer Pandro S. Berman and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film was nominated for three Oscars, winning one for Ed Begley for Best Supporting Actor. Geraldine Page (Best Actress) and Shirley Knight (Best Supporting Actress) were nominated.