The Member of the Wedding (1952)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Carson McCullers (play) (novel)
Edna Anhalt (writer) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1954 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

She became a woman in the middle of a kiss!

Plot:

A film version of the Carson McCullers play. Frankie Addams, a very boyish articulate 12-year-old girl...

Plot Keywords:

Tomboy | Wedding | Family Relationships | Adolescence | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Ethel Waters	...	Berenice Sadie Brown
Julie Harris	...	Frances 'Frankie' Addams
Brandon De Wilde	...	John Henry
Arthur Franz	...	Jarvis Addams
Nancy Gates	...	Janice
William Hansen	...	Mr. Addams
James Edwards	...	Honey Camden Brown
Harry Bolden	...	T.T. Williams
Dickie Moore	...	Soldier (as Dick Moore)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hugh Beaumont	...	Minister (uncredited)
Margaret Bert	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Jeanne Blackford	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Gail Bonney	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Ivan Browning	...	Porter (uncredited)
Ann Carter	...	Doris - Club girl (uncredited)
Wheaton Chambers	...	Man who gives bride away (uncredited)
Mary Emery	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Ella Ethridge	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Al Ferguson	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Jack Gargan	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Charlcie Garrett	...	Aunt Pet (uncredited)
June Hedin	...	Helen - Club girl (uncredited)
Alma Mansfield	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Rhea Mitchell	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Ralph Montgomery	...	Tractor Man (uncredited)
Danny Mummert	...	Barney McKean (uncredited)
Gil Perkins	...	Moving Man (uncredited)
Charles Perry	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Harry Richards	...	Organ Grinder (uncredited)
Helen St. Rayner	...	Organist (uncredited)
Henry Sylvester	...	Townsman (uncredited)

Directed by
Fred Zinnemann

Writing credits
Carson McCullers		(play) (novel)
Edna Anhalt		(writer) and
Edward Anhalt		(writer)

Produced by
Edna Anhalt	....	associate producer
Edward Anhalt	....	associate producer
Stanley Kramer	....	producer

Original Music by
Alex North

Cinematography by
Hal Mohr

Film Editing by
William A. Lyon

Production Design by
Rudolph Sternad

Art Direction by
Cary Odell

Set Decoration by
Frank Tuttle

Makeup Department
Clay Campbell	....	makeup artist
Helen Hunt	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Clem Beauchamp	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sam Nelson	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Lambert E. Day	....	sound engineer

Editorial Department
Harry W. Gerstad	....	editorial supervisor

Music Department
Morris Stoloff	....	musical director
Maurice De Packh	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Stanley Kramer Productions (as The Stanley Kramer Company)

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1952) (USA) (theatrical)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Colusa, California, USA

Company:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "The Member of the Wedding" opened at the Empire Theater January 5, 1950 and ran for 501 performances.

Quotes:

John Henry: Mean old bossy Frankie!
Berenice Sadie Brown: Just what is she doing that's so mean? Just trying to get some rest.

Movie Connections:

Version of "The DuPont Show of the Month: The Member of the Wedding (#1.10)" (1958)

Soundtrack:

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Over rated Harris performance

I will admit that viewing a 1952 film from a 2007 perspective might be clouding my opinion. Julie Harris' "Frankie" is overplayed and ruins the entire piece. I attempted to look past the fact that she is supposed to be only 12. C'mon, even in 1951/52 Julie could never pass for a 12-year-old, maybe 18. Directors often ask the audience to suspend their beliefs and imaginations - but this is too much to ask regarding Ms. Harris. Yes, the dialog is effective. It is interesting considering certain episodes within the film. For instance, 10-year-old John Henry's proclivities toward cross-dressing. Daring I must say for the time? Ms. Walter's presentation (considering she had to buffer the over-dramatic Harris) is excellent. Little Brandon also holds his own. Maybe as a stage presentation it worked - but as "one of the great films" in cinema history - forget it.