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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Presented by The Colonial Theatre

August 14, 2011

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As she matured throughout the course of the 1950s, Ms. Taylor moved from being perceived as just another pretty movie star into the ranks of the truly respected actresses of her time. Her role as “Maggie the Cat” in this film version of Tennessee Williams' stage triumph did much to solidify that perception.

Despite the fact that the mores and censorship standards of the time caused the film to water down a key element of the story (the possible homosexuality of Maggie's husband, here played by Paul Newman in an Oscar-nominated portrayal), this is a stunning dramatic tour-de-force, exploring greed and “mendacity” (Williams' term) within a Southern family, whose strong-willed patriarch (Burl Ives, ably repeating his Broadway role as “Big Daddy”) is dying. The film garnered six Oscar nominations, including nods for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Cinematography, as well as for the two stars. This is the film that made the critics, and the public, take notice of Taylor's acting chops; see it and you;ll definitely find out why. (Bill Roth)

Directed by Richard Brooks. US. 1958. NR. 108 min. WB. 35mm.