The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968)

Director:

Robert Ellis Miller

Writers:

Carson McCullers (novel)
Thomas C. Ryan (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 July 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

...and from this man who could not speak or hear, the girl heard many things.

Plot:

Sentimental story centers around a deaf-mute, Singer, and Mick, a teenager who lives in the house where he rents a room...

Plot Keywords:

Deafness | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Alan Arkin	...	John Singer
Sondra Locke	...	Mick
Laurinda Barrett	...	Mrs. Kelly
Stacy Keach	...	Blount (as Stacy Keach Jr.)
Chuck McCann	...	Spiros Antonapoulos
Biff McGuire	...	Mr. Kelly
Percy Rodrigues	...	Doctor Copeland
Cicely Tyson	...	Portia
Jackie Marlowe	...	Bubber
Johnny Popwell	...	Willie
Wayne Smith	...	Harry
Peter Mamakos	...	Spirmonedes
John O'Leary	...	Beaudine
Hubert Harper	...	Brannon
Sherri Vise	...	Delores

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-8 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Selma, Alabama, USA

Company:

Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Trivia:

Joseph Strick dropped out of the film as director early in the production and was replaced by Robert Ellis Miller.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Cheers: The Heart Is a Lonely Snipehunter (#3.14)" (1985)

Soundtrack:

I Can't Afford to Let You Go

Phenomenal performaces make this a memorable and haunting film!

I will not forget this movie for the rest of my life! Although the direction is excellent with a very good script and good production values, the performances are the standout aspect of this remarkable film. Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke make the film work and were both nominated for Oscars for their work here. Their scenes are magic, but Arkin is easily the stronger performance of the two. The supporting cast is very good, but Chuck McCann deserves special mention here. A comedian who's work has mainly been very lighthearted, he plays a straight dramatic role here and does a excellent job. A very human, very touching, very emotional film, the last 15-20 minutes will stay with you a very long time. Turner Classic Movies runs this on occasion and it is currently in print. Most highly recommended.