Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Tennessee Williams (play)
Richard Brooks (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 September 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Just one pillow on her bed ... and just one desire in her heart!

Plot:

Brick, an alcoholic ex-football player, drinks his days away and resists the affections of his wife, Maggie. His reunion with his father, Big Daddy, who is dying of cancer, jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.

Plot Keywords:

Rainstorm | No Sex | Mississippi | Pregnancy Issue | Brother Brother Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Elizabeth Taylor	...	Margaret 'Maggie the Cat' Pollitt
Paul Newman	...	Brick Pollitt
Burl Ives	...	Harvey 'Big Daddy' Pollitt
Jack Carson	...	Cooper 'Gooper' Pollitt
Judith Anderson	...	Ida 'Big Momma' Pollitt
Madeleine Sherwood	...	Mae Flynn Pollitt
Larry Gates	...	Dr. Baugh
Vaughn Taylor	...	Deacon Davis

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-3 (2007) | Portugal:M/12 (re-rating) | Finland:K-12 CORRECT: REPLACE WITH: (1959) | Spain:18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:17 | Sweden:15 | USA:Not Rated | West Germany:18 (original rating) | UK:12A (re-rating) (2005) | UK:X (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (1987) | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Coleman Estate, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Although Elia Kazan directed "Cat" on Broadway, he was not involved in the film, despite having two cinematic successes with Tennessee Williams work A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Baby Doll (1956). Kazan had had trouble with Williams, demanding that he rewrite the third act of the play to bring Big Daddy back on stage. He also was tired of having critics call him a "co-author" of Williams work, which he knew he was not. He would eventually direct one more Williams play on Broadway, Sweet Bird of Youth (1962), but that film also would be directed by Richard Brooks.

Goofs:

Although it is filled once in the afternoon, the ice bucket in Brick's bedroom stays full well into the evening even though it's never replenished.

Quotes:

Gooper Pollitt: The point is I won't see this place run into the ground by a drunken ex-football hero.
Margaret "Maggie" Pollitt: You shut up about my husband!
Mae Pollitt: You shut up!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (#5.24)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Soothe My Lonely Heart

Brilliant

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is quite brilliant. Even though it's an adaptation of a play it's never boring. Of course, it's impossible to make a film based on a play that isn't 'talky,' but Brooks has managed to make a film that is fascinating and interesting despite the theatrical feel. It helps that the cast is uniformly sensational! Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, and -- especially -- Paul Newman. This film is not quite as good as another adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Elia Kazan, but it comes pretty close. (9/10)