This play won the Pulitzer Prize. It's a true American classic.
It's starred Ralph Meeker and Janice Rule on Broadway. The tomboy younger sister was Kim Stanley (she was 28 at the time, and played a BELIEVABLE 16 --- there is a legendary story about her audition for the part). The "old maid" school teacher Rosemary was Eileen Heckart (played by a brilliant Roz Russell in the film). Arthur O'Connell, Rita Shaw and (the other bit part school teacher) all repeated their stage roles in the film. It was nominated for Best Picture and was a big hit. So was the theme song.
Kim Novak was not actually too old for the part. She was 22 playing 18. The problem is that Kim didn't look (or more importantly SOUND) 22. She always was a more mature presence than her actual age.
All that aside, Millie the tomboy younger sister can totally steal the show, if played right (aka, to the hilt). I saw an all-star, Broadway-worthy production of it at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles, back in 1986, with Jennifer Jason Leigh (Madge), Dana Hill (Millie), Rue McLenahan (their mother Flo), Michael Lerned (Rosemary), Conchatta Ferrell (Mrs. Potts), Gregory Harrison (Hal), Dick Van Patton (Howard), etc. Dana Hill was incredible and received a thunderous standing ovation at the end (and won the L.A. Drama Critics' Circle Award for her performance).
Interesting to note: Paul Newman played Alan Benson in the original Broadway production. He was hired as an understudy, but elevated to the second male lead out of town. He met a young lady doing this show who was hired to understudy both Madge and Millie. Her name was Joanne Woodward.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 11/19/05 at 12:16 PM
