Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Overview:

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) was a Drama - Film Adaptation Film directed by Richard Brooks and produced by Lawrence Weingarten.

SYNOPSIS

A blistering adaptation of Tennessee Williams's play features performances from Newman, Ives, and Taylor that have become cinematic cons (Ive's Big Daddy in acres of suit, Taylor's Maggie sprawled in her slip). A dying Southern patriarch surveys the prospects for his legacy in the hands of his sons - one a neurotic weakling and the other an alcoholic conniver - and finds them sorely lacking. Remade for television in 1984 with Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1958 --- Ceremony Number 31 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorPaul NewmanNominated
Best ActressElizabeth TaylorNominated
Best CinematographyWilliam DanielsNominated
Best DirectorRichard BrooksNominated
Best PictureLawrence Weingarten, ProducerNominated
Best WritingRichard Brooks, James PoeNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

1001 Classic Movies: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

By Amanda Garrett on Oct 10, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. Each Monday, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 series and reviews of earlier films covered go here). October's selections... Read full article


Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

By Beatrice on Aug 11, 2016 From Flickers in Time

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Directed by Richard Brooks Written by Richard Brooks and James Poe from the play by Tennessee Williams 1958/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Avon Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental Fantastic acting and writing makes up for watered-down drama. As the film begins Brick Pollit (P... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958)

By Jennifer Garlen on Oct 19, 2015 From Virtual Virago

Along with A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) is one of the most popular Hollywood treatments of a Tennessee Williams play, although the author himself was not a fan of the changes that had to be made to get his story onto film. In spite of Williams' understandable frustra... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958)

By Jennifer Garlen on Oct 19, 2015 From Virtual Virago

Along with A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) is one of the most popular Hollywood treatments of a Tennessee Williams play, although the author himself was not a fan of the changes that had to be made to get his story onto film. In spite of Williams' understandable frustra... Read full article


Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 7, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Adapted from the Tennessee Williams play, the film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives, with Jack Carson, and Judith Anderson. The film opens with Brick Pollick (Newman) injuring himself while he is drunk one night. The next day he is still constantly drinking and cold to his wife Mag... Read full article


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Quotes from

Gooper Pollitt: I don't give a damn whether Big Daddy likes me, or don't likes me. Or did or never did. Or will or will never.


Gooper Pollitt: You said I never loved Big Daddy. How would you know? How would he know? Did he ever let anybody love him? It was always Brick, always. From the day he was born, he was always partial to Brick. Why? Big Daddy wanted me to become a lawyer. I became a lawyer. He said to get married, I got married. He said to have kids, I had kids. He said to live in Memphis, I lived in Memphis. Whatever he said to do, I did.


Brick Pollitt: Careful Maggie, your claws are showing.


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Facts about

The references to homosexuality in the original play were removed from the screenplay to comply with the Hollywood Production Code.
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 and Baby Doll. 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, but that film also would be directed by Richard Brooks.
Due to a musicians union strike, the movie lacks a traditional musical score composed especially for the picture. Instead, a "canned" score, comprised of pre-recorded pieces from the MGM music library, is used. Most of this music, including the evocative main theme, was originally composed by André Previn for MGM's Tension.
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Best Picture Oscar 1958






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Also directed by Richard Brooks




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Also produced by Lawrence Weingarten




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