The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

José Quintero

Writers:

Gavin Lambert (writer)
Jan Read (additional writing)

Release Date:

28 December 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Critics and the public say Karen Stone is too old -- as she approaches 50 -- for her role in a play she is about to take to Broadway...

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Nobility | Intimacy | Unrequited Love | Age Difference

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Vivien Leigh	...	Karen Stone
Warren Beatty	...	Paolo di Leo
Coral Browne	...	Meg
Jill St. John	...	Barbara Bingham
Jeremy Spenser	...	Young man
Stella Bonheur	...	Mrs. Jamison-Walker
Josephine Brown	...	Lucia
Peter Dyneley	...	Lloyd Greener
Carl Jaffe	...	Baron Waldheim
Harold Kasket	...	Tailor
Viola Keats	...	Julia McIlheny
Cleo Laine	...	Singer
Bessie Love	...	Bunny
Elspeth March	...	Mrs. Barrow
Henry McCarty	...	Campbell Kennedy (as Henry McCarthy)

Also Known As:

The Widow and the Gigolo

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2005) | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

A. A. Productions

Trivia:

According to his memoirs Oliver Reed was interviewed by Elia Kazan for a role in the movie.

Quotes:

Karen Stone: You see... I don't leave my diamonds in the soap dish... and when the time comes when nobody desires me... for myself... I'd rather not be... desired... at all.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone: Looking for the Light in All the Dark Corners (2006) (V)

La Dolce Beatty?

A depressing Tennessee Williams' tale that is somehow still watchable --- in large part due to the excellent performance by Vivian Leigh. As a woman past her prime and feeling desperate for anyone, Leigh is stunning. This may not have been a stretch for Leigh since she was at the time passed her prime and at least desperate for a decent movie role. Her Mrs. Stone is sad, pathetic and lost. In other words, Blanche DuBois without the garish makeup and southern twang. The film's title may or may not be ironic...is it Mrs. Stone's spring? It's doubtful given the film's downbeat, ambiguous ending. Perhaps the Italian gigolo she gets involved with marks a new beginning for her? Jose Quintero's flat direction doesn't really dig too deep.

As the gigolo, Warren Beatty is awful. Affecting a very phony sounding Italian accent, he's almost campy. Lotte Lenya, as the contessa who pimps Beatty out is luckier...with her reptilian looks and creepy accent, she's decadence incarnate. Jill St. John is in it too, but doesn't contribute much beyond an unusually tall hairdo.