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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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 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 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Mae Pollitt: Gooper?
[calling his name inquisitively]
Mae Pollitt: What have all the chil'ens been shot for?
Gooper Pollitt: Everything 'cept shootin' chickens, I guess.


Brick Pollitt: Big Daddy... What is it that makes him so big? His big heart, his big belly, or his big money?


Brick Pollitt: Careful Maggie, your claws are showing.


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Facts about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

This film was originally to be filmed in black and white, as was the standard practice with "artistic" films in the 1950s. (Virtually all film adaptations of the plays of Tennessee Williams had been in B&W up to that time.) However, once Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor were cast in the leads, director Richard Brooks insisted on shooting in color, in deference to the public's well known enthusiasm for Taylor's violet and Newman's strikingly blue eyes.
Big Daddy Burl Ives was only one year older than Jack Carson, who plays his eldest son, and 16 years older than Paul Newman, who played his youngest.
Ben Gazzara, who originated the role of Brick on Broadway, turned down the role for the film version.
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Best Picture Oscar 1958






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Also directed by Richard Brooks




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