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| {{Short description|1956 film by Richard Brooks}} | {{Short description|1956 film by Richard Brooks}} | ||
| :''The article is about the film. For the stage adaptation, see ].'' | |||
| {{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| | name = The Catered Affair | | name = The Catered Affair | ||
| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
| | country = United States | | country = United States | ||
| | language = English | | language = English | ||
| | budget = $1 million<ref name="Mannix">{{ |
| budget = $1 million<ref name="Mannix">{{Cite journal |last=Glancy |first=H.M. |year=1992 |title=MGM film grosses, 1924–1948: The Eddie Mannix Ledger |journal=Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television |volume=12 |number=2 |pages=127–144 |doi=10.1080/01439689200260081}}</ref> | ||
| | gross = $1.5 million<ref name="Mannix"/> | | gross = $1.5 million<ref name="Mannix"/> | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| '''''The Catered Affair''''' (also known as '''''Wedding Party''''') is a 1956 American ] directed by ] and produced by ] from a screenplay by ], based on a 1955 television play by ]. The film stars ], ], ], ] and ]. |
'''''The Catered Affair''''' (also known as '''''Wedding Party''''') is a 1956 American ] directed by ] and produced by ] from a screenplay by ], based on a ] by ]. The film stars ], ], ], ] and ]. ''The Catered Affair'' marked the first appearance of Bette Davis in a ] picture. It was also Rod Taylor's first film for MGM after signing a long-term contract with the studio.<ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen |last=Vagg |title=Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood |publisher=Bear Manor Media |year=2010 |page=53 |isbn=978-1593935115}}</ref> The film score was by ] and the cinematographer was ]. | ||
| ==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
| Agnes Hurley |
Agnes Hurley is a disillusioned housewife, married to ] cab driver Tom Hurley, who works for a large taxi fleet. Agnes wants something better for her daughter Jane, while Tom has been saving for many years to purchase a taxi ] and become self-employed. | ||
| When Jane announces her engagement to Ralph Halloran |
When Jane announces her engagement to Ralph Halloran, Aggie sees this as an opportunity to have a romantic elaborate wedding, which she never had because they could never afford it. However, Tom protests that they cannot afford it, and Jane is upset by the discord it is causing in the family. | ||
| The film deals with the ensuing money troubles and conflicts within the family, which also involve Uncle Jack Conlon |
The film deals with the ensuing money troubles and conflicts within the family, which also involve Uncle Jack Conlon, who lives with them. The conflict is resolved when Agnes realizes that it is the happiness of her family, rather than the expensive ceremony, that is most important. Plans for the expensive wedding are shelved and Tom gets the medallion and a new taxi. | ||
| ==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| Line 46: | Line 47: | ||
| ==Production== | ==Production== | ||
| MGM bought the screen rights in 1955. ] was originally announced for the female lead.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ann Blyth Will Star in Remake From TV|date=June 14, 1955|work=Los Angeles Times|page=16}}</ref> | MGM bought the screen rights to ] in 1955. ] was originally announced for the female lead.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ann Blyth Will Star in Remake From TV|date=June 14, 1955|work=Los Angeles Times|page=16}}</ref> | ||
| Debbie Reynolds |
In 1964 Debbie Reynolds said she "hated making" the film "for personal reasons. I like the result and he directed me well but the director made it difficult for me and gave me a hard time."<ref>{{Cite news|title=The 'Unsinkable' Debbie Reynolds Rides the Crest|first=Howard |last=Thompson|date=Aug 9, 1964|work=New York Times|page=X7}}</ref> She later wrote in her memoirs that Brooks hit her in the face and had to be pulled away by the assistant director.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reynolds|first=Debbie|title=Unsinkable: A Memoir |publisher=William Morrow Books |location=New York |year=2013|pages=217–19 |isbn=978-0062213655}}</ref> | ||
| "He called me ‘Little Miss Hollywood’ and made no attempt to hide his disdain for me. Every day he was rude, and once he slapped me across the face in front of everyone. I don't know what I'd done to anger him that time. I was always professional."{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} | |||
| ==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
| According to MGM records, the film earned $947,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $520,000 in other countries, resulting in a loss of $106,000.<ref name="Mannix"/> Critics' reviews were |
According to MGM records, the film earned $947,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $520,000 in other countries, resulting in a loss of $106,000.<ref name="Mannix"/> Critics' reviews were largely negative, with the film holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_catered_affair_1956/|title=The Catered Affair (1956)|website=]|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref> | ||
| '']'' critic ] compared the film unfavorably to Marty and said the film lacked "compassion or appeal." He said that was "partly the fault of the writing, partly the fault of the film and partly the fault of the direction, which is uneven in compass and style." Crowther criticized the performances, saying that Davis " |
'']'' critic ] compared the film unfavorably to ''Marty'' and said the film lacked "compassion or appeal." He said that was "partly the fault of the writing, partly the fault of the film and partly the fault of the direction, which is uneven in compass and style." Crowther criticized the performances, saying that Davis's performance was "uncomfortably complicated and alien to the lowly locale." He wrote that Davis gave the role "the air of a gentlelady who has come down a little in the world and deliberately uses bad grammar, with some effort and considerable shame." Borgnine, he said, "gawks ] as her Bronx mate."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowther |first=Bosley |date=1956-06-15 |title=Screen: 'Catered Affair'; Adaptation of TV Play Arrives at Victoria The Cast |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/06/15/archives/screen-catered-affair-adaptation-of-tv-play-arrives-at-victoria-the.html |access-date=2023-08-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | ||
| ==Stage adaptation== | ==Stage adaptation== | ||
| A musical adaptation also titled '']'', with book by ] and lyrics and music by ], premiered at San Diego's ] in 2007 and the following year played on Broadway at the ]. The cast included ], ], ] and Fierstein. | A musical adaptation also titled '']'', with book by ] and lyrics and music by ], premiered at San Diego's ] in 2007 and the following year played on Broadway at the ]. The cast included ], ], ] and Fierstein. | ||
| The play received mixed reviews and closed after 116 performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Campbell |date=2008-06-20 |title=The End of 'A Catered Affair' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/theater/20arts-THEENDOFACAT_BRF.html |access-date=2023-08-06 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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| * {{IMDb title|0049061|The Catered Affair|(1956 film)}} | * {{IMDb title|0049061|The Catered Affair|(1956 film)}} | ||
| * {{IBDB title|466360|A Catered Affair}} | * {{IBDB title|466360|A Catered Affair}} | ||
| * {{ |
* {{TCMDb title|id=2989}} | ||
| * {{amg movie|8639}} | |||
| * {{AFI film|53490}} | * {{AFI film|53490}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 08:13, 22 December 2024
1956 film by Richard Brooks- The article is about the film. For the stage adaptation, see A Catered Affair.
| The Catered Affair | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Brooks |
| Screenplay by | Gore Vidal |
| Based on | "The Catered Affair" 1955 teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky |
| Produced by | Sam Zimbalist |
| Starring | Bette Davis Ernest Borgnine Debbie Reynolds Barry Fitzgerald Rod Taylor |
| Cinematography | John Alton |
| Edited by | Gene Ruggiero Frank Santillo |
| Music by | André Previn |
| Production company | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc. |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1 million |
| Box office | $1.5 million |
The Catered Affair (also known as Wedding Party) is a 1956 American comedy drama film directed by Richard Brooks and produced by Sam Zimbalist from a screenplay by Gore Vidal, based on a 1955 television play by Paddy Chayefsky. The film stars Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine, Debbie Reynolds, Barry Fitzgerald and Rod Taylor. The Catered Affair marked the first appearance of Bette Davis in a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. It was also Rod Taylor's first film for MGM after signing a long-term contract with the studio. The film score was by André Previn and the cinematographer was John Alton.
Plot
Agnes Hurley is a disillusioned housewife, married to Bronx cab driver Tom Hurley, who works for a large taxi fleet. Agnes wants something better for her daughter Jane, while Tom has been saving for many years to purchase a taxi medallion and become self-employed.
When Jane announces her engagement to Ralph Halloran, Aggie sees this as an opportunity to have a romantic elaborate wedding, which she never had because they could never afford it. However, Tom protests that they cannot afford it, and Jane is upset by the discord it is causing in the family.
The film deals with the ensuing money troubles and conflicts within the family, which also involve Uncle Jack Conlon, who lives with them. The conflict is resolved when Agnes realizes that it is the happiness of her family, rather than the expensive ceremony, that is most important. Plans for the expensive wedding are shelved and Tom gets the medallion and a new taxi.
Cast
- Bette Davis as Agnes Hurley
- Ernest Borgnine as Tom Hurley
- Debbie Reynolds as Jane Hurley
- Barry Fitzgerald as Uncle Jack Conlon
- Rod Taylor as Ralph Halloran
- Robert Simon as Mr. Halloran
- Madge Kennedy as Mrs. Halloran
- Dorothy Stickney as Mrs. Rafferty
- Carol Veazie as Mrs. Casey
- Joan Camden as Alice Scanlon
- Ray Stricklyn as Eddie Hurley
- Jay Adler as Sam Leiter
Production
MGM bought the screen rights to the TV play in 1955. Ann Blyth was originally announced for the female lead.
In 1964 Debbie Reynolds said she "hated making" the film "for personal reasons. I like the result and he directed me well but the director made it difficult for me and gave me a hard time." She later wrote in her memoirs that Brooks hit her in the face and had to be pulled away by the assistant director.
Reception
According to MGM records, the film earned $947,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $520,000 in other countries, resulting in a loss of $106,000. Critics' reviews were largely negative, with the film holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
New York Times critic Bosley Crowther compared the film unfavorably to Marty and said the film lacked "compassion or appeal." He said that was "partly the fault of the writing, partly the fault of the film and partly the fault of the direction, which is uneven in compass and style." Crowther criticized the performances, saying that Davis's performance was "uncomfortably complicated and alien to the lowly locale." He wrote that Davis gave the role "the air of a gentlelady who has come down a little in the world and deliberately uses bad grammar, with some effort and considerable shame." Borgnine, he said, "gawks gargoylishly as her Bronx mate."
Stage adaptation
A musical adaptation also titled A Catered Affair, with book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by John Bucchino, premiered at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in 2007 and the following year played on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The cast included Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer and Fierstein.
The play received mixed reviews and closed after 116 performances.
See also
References
- ^ Glancy, H.M. (1992). "MGM film grosses, 1924–1948: The Eddie Mannix Ledger". Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. 12 (2): 127–144. doi:10.1080/01439689200260081.
- Vagg, Stephen (2010). Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood. Bear Manor Media. p. 53. ISBN 978-1593935115.
- "Ann Blyth Will Star in Remake From TV". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1955. p. 16.
- Thompson, Howard (Aug 9, 1964). "The 'Unsinkable' Debbie Reynolds Rides the Crest". New York Times. p. X7.
- Reynolds, Debbie (2013). Unsinkable: A Memoir. New York: William Morrow Books. pp. 217–19. ISBN 978-0062213655.
- "The Catered Affair (1956)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- Crowther, Bosley (1956-06-15). "Screen: 'Catered Affair'; Adaptation of TV Play Arrives at Victoria The Cast". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- Robertson, Campbell (2008-06-20). "The End of 'A Catered Affair'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
External links
- The Catered Affair (1956 film) at IMDb
- A Catered Affair at the Internet Broadway Database
- The Catered Affair at the TCM Movie Database
- The Catered Affair at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
| Films directed by Richard Brooks | |
|---|---|
|
- 1956 films
- 1956 comedy-drama films
- 1950s American films
- 1950s English-language films
- American black-and-white films
- American comedy-drama films
- English-language comedy-drama films
- Films about weddings in the United States
- Films based on television plays
- Films directed by Richard Brooks
- Films scored by André Previn
- Films set in the Bronx
- Films with screenplays by Gore Vidal
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films