Suddenly, Last Summer Movie Review 1959

Brain surgeon is summoned to the mansion of a rich New Orleans matron who wishes him to perform a lobotomy on her niece, supposedly suffering from a mental breakdown. Based on the play by Tennessee Williams. Softened for the censors, though the themes of homosexuality, insanity, and murder, characterizations of evil, and unusual settings presage many movies of the next two decades. Extremely fine performances from Hepburn and Taylor. Clift never completely recovered from his auto accident two years before and does not come across with the strength of purpose really necessary in his character. Still, fine viewing.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 114 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adapted from a Play, Family Ties, Plays to Film: Tennessee Williams, New Orleans

Screenplay

Gore Vidal

Cast

Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Mercedes McCambridge, Albert Dekker

Cinematography

Jack Hildyard

Director

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Music

Malcolm Arnold

Producer

Columbia Pictures, Sam Spiegel

Awards

Golden Globes 1960: Actress--Drama (Taylor).