The Catered Affair (1956)

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Paddy Chayefsky (play)
Gore Vidal (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 June 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

When you're in love, nothing else matters

Plot:

At breakfast, Jane announces that she and Ralph are getting married the next week. All Jane and Ralph...

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Poor | Family Relationships | Male Female Relationship | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Mrs. Agnes Hurley
Ernest Borgnine	...	Tom Hurley
Debbie Reynolds	...	Jane Hurley
Barry Fitzgerald	...	Uncle Jack Conlon
Rod Taylor	...	Ralph Halloran
Robert F. Simon	...	Mr. Halloran (as Robert Simon)
Madge Kennedy	...	Mrs. Halloran
Dorothy Stickney	...	Mrs. Rafferty
Carol Veazie	...	Mrs. Casey
Joan Camden	...	Alice Scanlon
Ray Stricklyn	...	Eddie Hurley
Jay Adler	...	Sam Leiter
Dan Tobin	...	Hotel Caterer
Paul Denton	...	Bill
Augusta Merighi	...	Mrs. Musso

Also Known As:

Wedding Breakfast (UK)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #17915)

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Goofs:

Factual errors: Real-life radio soap opera "The Romance of Helen Trent" is heard on radio while members of Hurley family are waking up, eating breakfast and preparing to go off to work; in reality, radio soaps weren't broadcast until late mornings/ afternoons and/or evenings.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bridge Attendant: Boy, Tom how's the taxi business?
Tom Hurley: How's the bridge business?
Bridge Attendant: One more day like this, I'll own the bridge.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Three's Company: The Catered Affair (#3.16)" (1979)

I'd RSVP

"The Catered Affair" is a great little movie filled with real life heartache and genuine emotion. Bette gives a strong performance as the matriarch of the family determined to give her only daughter a proper wedding even though the family can't afford to do so. Ernest B. is perfectly cast as the slovenly, hard working taxi cab driver. In fact everyone is up to par in this film, but it's the real life situations that tug at your heart strings. Agnes' brother who sleeps on the couch in the living room, preparing a dinner to impress the future in-laws, Agnes' realization that one day it will be only her and Tom living in the apartment. An especially touching scene takes place in the bedroom as Agnes brushes her hair as Tom gives her many reasons why they can't afford the cost of the wedding, both financially and emotionally.