Autumn Leaves (1956)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers (WGA):

Jean Rouverol (written by) (front Jack Jevne) &
Hugo Butler (written by) (front Jack Jevne) ...

Release Date:

1 August 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In the dark, when I feel his heart pounding against mine - is it love? or frenzy? or terror?

Plot:

Millicent Wetherby is a middle-aged woman whose life is devoid of love and affection. Millicent's solitary...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Bare Chested Male | Unmarried Woman | Caviar | Lie

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Joan Crawford	...	Millicent Wetherby
Vera Miles	...	Virginia Hanson
Lorne Greene	...	Mr. Hanson
Ruth Donnelly	...	Liz Eckhart
Shepperd Strudwick	...	Dr. Malcolm Couzzens
Selmer Jackson	...	Mr. Wetherby
Maxine Cooper	...	Nurse Evans
Marjorie Bennett	...	Waitress
Frank Gerstle	...	Mr. Ramsey
Leonard Mudie	...	Colonel Hillyer
Maurice Manson	...	Dr. Masterson
Cliff Robertson	...	Burt Hanson

Also Known As:

The Way We Are (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:16 | USA:Approved (PCA #17762) | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

William Goetz Productions

Quotes:

[after meeting Milly's landlady, Liz, who is sporting a garishly "loud" Hawaiian-type, floral shirt]
Burt: Who's the character?
Milly: [smiles] Liz Eckhardt. She's the manager.
Burt: Is she always dressed for Halloween? In the middle of the summer?
Milly: [laughs] That happens to be one of her most conservative outfits!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Outrageous! (1977)

Soundtrack:

Autumn Leaves

Fine Crawford drama

This 1956 drama was directed by the re known Robert Aldrich. He brings the old and the new to this film. The old, being the professionalism and experience of Joan Crawford and matching her with the new, up and coming young talented Cliff Robertson. This was his first starring role. Coming from Broadway he brought a very strong presence to the part. He and Joan were splendid together. In one of her rare underplayed roles, where she isn't playing the queen bee, she gives a sensitive and honest portrayal of a lonely woman who accidentally meets a young man and falls in love. Crawford and those wonderful expressive eyes are beautifully photographed with shadows in glorious black and white. Playing opposite her and definitely holding his own, Robertson goes from nice guy to a sort of psychotic mess. His slow changing from one to the other was masterful. He showed his abilities and what was yet to come his way, including his Academy Award performance in CHARLY. Together Joan and Cliff light up the screen in an almost melodramatic way, yet quite realistic. Reminded me of another Crawford film and another new young actor, Jack Palance in SUDDEN FEAR. Rounding out the cast is Lorne Greene as Cliff's no good father, Vera Miles as the wife asking for a divorce and veteran actor Shepperd Strudwick playing the doctor who heals our hero. Look for two well played supporting roles in this. Bringing comedy relief to the drama is veteran actress Ruth Donnely, as the manager of the apartment building Joan lives in. She just walks into the apartments, picks up newspapers and magazines and makes herself at home bringing all the gossip with her. She's a hoot. There's also a cameo performance by Marjorie Bennett as the waitress of a diner. Just her facial expressions as she waits on our lovers is worth the entire scene. She walks off with it. Remember her as the mother of Victor Buono in BABY JANE? Hats off to a seldom seen movie and one of Crawford's best.