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{{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
| image = CateredAffair.jpg | image = CateredAffair.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = ] | producer = ]
| writer = ] | screenplay = ]
| based on = TV play by ] | based_on = {{Based on|"]"<br>1955 teleplay|]}}
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>] <br>] | starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>] <br>]
| music = ] | music = ]
| cinematography = ] | cinematography = ]
| editor = Gene Ruggiero <br> Frank Santillo | editing = ]<br>]
| distributor = ] | studio = ]
| distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|1956|06|14}} | released = {{Film date|1956|06|14}}
| runtime = 92 min. | runtime = 92 minutes
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $1 million<ref name="Mannix">{{Citation | title = The Eddie Mannix Ledger | publisher = Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study | place = Los Angeles}}.</ref> | 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 ] made by ]. It was directed by ] and produced by ] from a ] by ], based on a television play by ]. The film score was by ] and the cinematography by ].
'''''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 ].

The film stars ], ], ], ] and ]. It was Taylor's first film for MGM after having been signed by the studio to a long-term contract.<ref>Stephen Vagg, ''Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood'', Bear Manor Media, 2010 p 53</ref>


==Plot== ==Plot==
Agnes Hurley (Davis) is a disillusioned housewife, married to ] cabdriver Tom Hurley (Borgnine). She wants something better for her daughter, Jane (Reynolds). When Jane announces her engagement to Ralph Halloran (Taylor), Aggie sees this as an opportunity to have a romantic elaborate wedding, with caterers and all the trimmings, like she never had because they could never afford it. However, the daughter does not want it because it is causing awkward conflicts with her family and friends, and her father has been saving that money for many years to purchase a taxi ] and become self-employed. The film deals with the ensuing money troubles and conflicts within the family, which also involve Uncle Jack Conlon (Fitzgerald) and most of the neighborhood. It is not until the end of the film that the mother realizes that it is the happiness of her family, rather than the expensive ceremony, that is most important, as they go off to watch their daughter get married at their church in the new taxi. 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, 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.
⚫ ==Cast==
⚫ *] as Agnes Hurley
⚫ *] as Tom Hurley
⚫ *] as Jane Hurley
⚫ *] as Uncle Jack Conlon
⚫ *] as Ralph Halloran
⚫ *] as Mr. Halloran
⚫ *] as Mrs. Halloran
⚫ *] as Mrs. Rafferty
⚫ *] as Mrs. Casey
⚫ *] as Alice Scanlon
⚫ *] as Eddie Hurley
⚫ *] as Sam Leiter


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.
==Television play==
{{Infobox television episode
| title = The Catered Affair
| series = '']''
| image =
| caption =
| season = 4
| episode = 17
| airdate = 22 May 1955
| production = Showcase Productions
| writer = ]
|based_on =
| director =]
| guests = ]<br>]
| episode_list =
| prev =
| next =
}}
The television play ''A Catered Affair'', written by Paddy Chayefsky, was first shown on television as part of the '']''. It was broadcast on May 22, 1955. The cast included ], ], and ].<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0886035/ Internet Movie database</ref>


⚫ ==Cast==
It was the last original TV play Chayefsky wrote.<ref>THE TV SCENE--: Television's Old Grads Hit Top
⚫ * ] as Agnes Hurley
Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) 28 Feb 1958: A8.</ref> A subsequent TV play, '']'', was based on an early Chayefsky story.
⚫ * ] as Tom Hurley
⚫ * ] as Jane Hurley
⚫ * ] as Uncle Jack Conlon
⚫ * ] as Ralph Halloran
⚫ * ] as Mr. Halloran
⚫ * ] as Mrs. Halloran
⚫ * ] as Mrs. Rafferty
⚫ * Carol Veazie as Mrs. Casey
⚫ * Joan Camden as Alice Scanlon
⚫ * ] as Eddie Hurley
⚫ * ] as Sam Leiter


===Reception=== ==Production==
⚫ 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>
Chayefsky later called the play "an unfocused piece, in which the first act was farce, and the second was comedy-drama and the third was abruptly drama. There aren't a dozen actresses who could make one piece out of all that; Miss Ritter, of course, did."<ref>Thelma Ritter 1905-1969
By PADDY CHAYEFSKY. New York Times (1923-Current file) 16 Feb 1969: D13.</ref>


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>
The ''New York Times'' TV critic later wrote that "the playwright abandoned the stark simplicity that has become his trademark and tried to tell a family story from too many points of view. Parts of his play were rewarding but the whole was disappointing."<ref>TV: 'Catered Affair': Chayefsky's Story of Family Life Offered
By JACK GOULD. New York Times (1923-Current file) 23 May 1955: 47.</ref>


⚫ ==Reception==
] and ] both received Emmy nominations for their work. ] won an Emmy for his performance.<ref>Pat Henning, Comedian, Dead, Won Emmy for 'Catered Affair: Born Into Circus Family
⚫ 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>
New York Times (1923-Current file) 30 Apr 1973: 34.</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'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>
==Production==
⚫ MGM bought the screen rights in 1955. ] was originally announced for the female lead.<ref>Ann Blyth Will Star in Remake From TV
Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 14 June 1955: 16.</ref>


⚫ ==Stage adaptation==
Debbie Reynolds later 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>THE 'UNSINKABLE' DEBBIE REYNOLDS RIDES THE CREST
⚫ 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.
By HOWARD THOMPSON. New York Times (1923-Current file) 09 Aug 1964: X7.</ref>


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>
"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."

⚫ ==Reception==
⚫ According to MGM records the film earned $947,000 in the US and Canada and $520,000 in other countries, resulting in a loss of $106,000.<ref name="Mannix"/> Critics' reviews were also unfavorable, with the film currently holding a 17% on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_catered_affair_1956/|title=The Catered Affair (1956)|website=RottenTomatoes.com|accessdate=February 4, 2017}}</ref>

⚫ ==Stage musical==
⚫ A musical adaptation also called '']'', with book by ] and lyrics and music by ], premiered at ]'s ] in 2007 and the following year played on ] at the ]. The cast included ], ], ] and Fierstein.


==See also== ==See also==
*] * ]


==References== ==References==
Line 95: Line 68:


==External links== ==External links==
* * {{IMDb title|0049061|The Catered Affair|(1956 film)}}
* * {{IBDB title|466360|A Catered Affair}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=2989}}
*
* {{AFI film|53490}}


{{Richard Brooks}} {{Richard Brooks}}
{{Gore Vidal}} {{Gore Vidal}}
{{Paddy Chayefsky}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Catered Affair, The}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Catered Affair, The}}
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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 byRichard Brooks
Screenplay byGore Vidal
Based on"The Catered Affair"
1955 teleplay
by Paddy Chayefsky
Produced bySam Zimbalist
StarringBette Davis
Ernest Borgnine
Debbie Reynolds
Barry Fitzgerald
Rod Taylor
CinematographyJohn Alton
Edited byGene Ruggiero
Frank Santillo
Music byAndré Previn
Production
company		Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed byLoew's Inc.
Release date
  • June 14, 1956 (1956-06-14)
Running time92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1 million
Box office$1.5 million
The Catered Affair trailer

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

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. Vagg, Stephen (2010). Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood. Bear Manor Media. p. 53. ISBN 978-1593935115.
  3. "Ann Blyth Will Star in Remake From TV". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1955. p. 16.
  4. Thompson, Howard (Aug 9, 1964). "The 'Unsinkable' Debbie Reynolds Rides the Crest". New York Times. p. X7.
  5. Reynolds, Debbie (2013). Unsinkable: A Memoir. New York: William Morrow Books. pp. 217–19. ISBN 978-0062213655.
  6. "The Catered Affair (1956)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  7. 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.
  8. Robertson, Campbell (2008-06-20). "The End of 'A Catered Affair'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-06.

External links

Films directed by Richard Brooks
Gore Vidal
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