A Good Reason For Lying On The Couch

This past weekend was an interesting one to say the least. With ALL of my college football teams loosing this weekend: (Norte Dame, North Carolina, Miami, Florida State). I decided to watch some classic movies on television. Ofcourse, my favorite channel for watching an old black and white is TCM (Turner Classic Movies). The movie that I happened to watch on Saturday was Tennessee William's, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.

Here is my review of one of my favorite Paul Newman movies. This is the classic cinematic version of Tennessee Williams's breathtaking play about a crazed southern family torn apart by greed. Larger-than-life patriarch Big Daddy (Burl Ives) lays dying, and the members of his brood clamor for the inheritance. Paul Newman is Brick, the alcoholic son struggling in the shadow of his powerful father, and Elizabeth Taylor is Maggie, Brick's lingerie-clad temptress of a wife who will do anything for the love of her cold husband. Brick's younger brother, Gooper (Jack Carson), and his wife, Mae (Madeleine Sherwood), strive for Big Daddy's approval, but even though they have children and a successful marriage, Big Daddy is dedicated to Brick, a former football star with his own personal demons. Tensions mount as the family is forced together under one roof, where secrets are revealed and relationships are lost and found. Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman's performances serve as cinematic icons; the heat and hatred between them ignites the screen, fueled by Tennessee Williams's insightful and brilliant dialogue.


The 1958 film adaptation of Williams' drama earned, Newman, his first Oscar nomination; one of seven for the film. Some of the more controversial elements of Williams' melodrama were downplayed in the film version so as not to ruffle the censors of the era. But it still remains a steamy, haunting piece of filmmaking. If you have never seen this movie I suggest you go out and rent it you will not be disappointed in the performances.

Until Next Time
Hugs & Kisses,
Cameron