Tea and Sympathy (1956)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Robert Anderson (play)
Robert Anderson (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 May 1957 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Where does a woman's sympathy leave off -- and her indiscretion begin?

Plot:

Tom Lee is a sensitive boy of 17 whose lack of interest in the "manly" pursuits of sports, mountain...

Plot Keywords:

College | School | Bittersweet | Prep School | Masculinity

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Deborah Kerr	...	Laura Reynolds
John Kerr	...	Tom Robinson Lee
Leif Erickson	...	Bill Reynolds
Edward Andrews	...	Herb Lee
Darryl Hickman	...	Al
Norma Crane	...	Ellie Martin
Dean Jones	...	Ollie, Tennis Partner
Jacqueline deWit	...	Lilly Sears, Laura's friend
Tom Laughlin	...	Ralph, 'Regular Guy'
Ralph Votrian	...	Steve, Ralph's side-kick
Steven Terrell	...	Phil
Kip King	...	Ted
Jimmy Hayes	...	Henry
Richard Tyler	...	Roger
Don Burnett	...	Vic

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #18176) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | West Germany:16

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

This film was adapted from a Broadway play that originally starred Deborah Kerr, John Kerr and Leif Erickson, who recreate their stage roles in this film. Also in the Broadway cast in supporting roles were Alan Sues (who later appeared on TV's "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1967)) and Dick York (the first actor who played Darrin on TV's "Bewitched" (1964) starring Elizabeth Montgomery). Joan Fontaine and Anthony Perkins also later appeared in the stage version of "Tea and Sympathy" as cast replacements during its long run. The stage production opened on Sept. 30, 1953 at the Ethel Barrymoore Theatre and ran for 712 performances.

Goofs:

Continuity: A pair of china dogs are back to back in a master shot (overall wide view). But when the camera moves in for close-ups, the dogs are face-to-face.

Quotes:

Tom Lee: Ever since then, I've been a sucker for girls in polo coats.
Laura Reynolds: I think I have one...
Tom Lee: Yes, I know.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Will & Grace: Tea and a Total Lack of Sympathy (#2.10)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

The Joys of Love

An outdated but enjoyable and poignant film

It is true that this film, made in 1956, two years after it appeared on the stage, is dated. And it is true, in real 1950s style, the characters may seem very contrived, and the dialogue very scripted. But Tea and Sympathy tells a very real and poignant story and if you allow yourself simply to be swept up by that, rather than looking at the film in a sceptical and critical manner, you may actually enjoy it. John Kerr does a wonderful job of playing a teenage boy, Tom Lee, who cannot seem to fit in with those around him, and Leif Erickson does just as good a job portraying the schoolmaster Bill Reynolds, who sees being 'manly' as one of the most important things there is. And lovely, refined Deborah Kerr (no relation to John Kerr), in the role she played on stage, does an impressive job of portraying Laura Reynolds, the love-starved faculty wife who still thinks about the husband she lost in the war. And she is the one who is disturbed by the treatment Tom gets from his schoolmates, and even from her husband himself, and she is the one who takes action to try and help him. The fact that there are large references to 'out of bounds' sexual activity in the film make it rather unique and daring for the decade in which it was released. Director Vincente Minnelli does a superb job of capturing the sexual tension within the Reynolds house and makes the film that much less twee. A great film, and a must see for Deborah Kerr fans.