This is a semi-guilty pleasure. In some ways it retains the sheen and talents at the waning days of the big studio machine, and that's a plus. It's soapy, melodramatic and over-the-top, which is certainly entertaining if you don't look for Art with a capital A. And there is a visual lushness in the cinematography not to mention the emphasis on physical lushness, eg Troy Donahue and Diane McBain, and some of the other characters, all dressed to the nines in suits, ties, contrasting sharp vests, crinolined party dresses, preppy red v-neck sweaters backdropped against a blue sky on an impossibly handsome blond Adonis. I can't even say anymore if Troy Donahue is a good actor. I just like watching and listening to him, and I think he does have a certain conviction- his earnestness - which lends authenticity to his performances. Others call him wooden. I think he's more than good, and under-rated. (And my eyes can't get enough of his physical beauty.) Then there's Diane McBain, who I scantly know but is right up there with Donahue - breathtakingly beautiful. Claudette is okay, but the part itself is anachronistic and annoying - a bit long-suffering and stoic, as her parts often are - in a role that demands she ignore a cruel, brutish, crass man she marries. And rounding out the pluses, I love Max Steiner's lush, anachronistic score. The negatives do abound: the script is a bit shrill and melodramatic, which you expect of soap operas of that period. I can't decide if Karl Malden is dynamic or excessive, though he's always effective. Connie Steven was never my perky cup of tea. Dean Jagger caught my attention as a gentle father-figure, and touched me deeply. Ultimately, my feelings are colored by the bias of nostalgia. I very young when it was released, and have some residual nostalgia for what I remember and miss from that era. Someone twenty years old would find it mostly silly, I think.
35 Reviews
Better than expected; good production standards
vincentlynch-moonoi17 April 2011
While this film is hardly at risk of being called the greatest movie ever made, it's also not bad...a decent film.
If I have one complaint about the film it's the role played by one of my favorite character actors -- Karl Malden. Playing the "bad" father shouldn't have meant that it had to be over the top, and Malden really goes over the top here. It's a shame; he was normally a very fine actor. I'm guessing the blame lies with the director and/or screenwriters who apparently didn't understand that most people -- unless they're bipolar -- have a rather even demeanor most of the time.
Probably the best acting in the film is by veteran character actor Dean Jagger. His presence is a blessing in any movie, and certainly in this film.
The lead -- Troy Donahue -- whose talent was about as shallow as a summer stream -- actually does fairly well here. Other than a handsome face and blonde hair, there certainly wasn't much to the skinny, almost puny (though tall) actor. While not a memorable performance by any stretch of the imagination (were any of his roles?), he plays the part satisfactorily.
This was Claudette Colbert's final big screen appearance, and she is always a welcome presence in virtually any film. What a shame she walked away from movies. What a wonderful, wonderful actress.
The plot here is quite good, and production values were high, and much of it filmed on location. It's a longer-than-average movie, but it still ended rather abruptly (and predictably). Recommended, with reservations.
If I have one complaint about the film it's the role played by one of my favorite character actors -- Karl Malden. Playing the "bad" father shouldn't have meant that it had to be over the top, and Malden really goes over the top here. It's a shame; he was normally a very fine actor. I'm guessing the blame lies with the director and/or screenwriters who apparently didn't understand that most people -- unless they're bipolar -- have a rather even demeanor most of the time.
Probably the best acting in the film is by veteran character actor Dean Jagger. His presence is a blessing in any movie, and certainly in this film.
The lead -- Troy Donahue -- whose talent was about as shallow as a summer stream -- actually does fairly well here. Other than a handsome face and blonde hair, there certainly wasn't much to the skinny, almost puny (though tall) actor. While not a memorable performance by any stretch of the imagination (were any of his roles?), he plays the part satisfactorily.
This was Claudette Colbert's final big screen appearance, and she is always a welcome presence in virtually any film. What a shame she walked away from movies. What a wonderful, wonderful actress.
The plot here is quite good, and production values were high, and much of it filmed on location. It's a longer-than-average movie, but it still ended rather abruptly (and predictably). Recommended, with reservations.
Not a superior soaper by any means--but it should satisfy those in the requisite silly spirit...
moonspinner5510 April 2006
Director Delmer Daves also adapted Mildred Savage's sprawling novel about four adjoining tobacco farms in New England, and the love, lust and sabotage which occurs there. Troy Donahue is the stilted, inert title-named lothario who arrives in town with his mother, a dignified Claudette Colbert (in her theatrical bow); Connie Stevens, Diane McBain, and Sharon Hugueny are Donahue's love interests; Karl Malden is the tyrannical stepfather and boss from hell. Beautifully filmed by Harry Stradling, but the heated melodrama is engineered to be overwrought (Daves probably wouldn't have it any other way!). It's actually more involving than it has any right to be, though the narrative (spanning several years) is ridiculously rushed along in the third act, and the romantic clinches are so florid they generate some unintended laughs. **1/2 from ****
You won't stop watching til it's over!
lorenzo21226 September 2001
Warning: Spoilers
I have seen this film many times and it is always a great treat, no matter what part you come in on. It was filmed in the tobacco fields of northeastern Connecticut. The story is of a teen named Parrish, (Troy Donahue) becoming a man through his love affairs with three women, his work in the tobacco industry - (probably couldn't get made in this positive light today)and his fight against his evil step-family. That's the story, but what a cast and plot! Troy shines in his best movie role as a rebellious teen who's in the right. Claudet Colbert plays her classic stock part - Parrish's loving, widowed mother who marries into a sick family. (Headed by an vicious, money-grubbing Karl Malden who goes head to head with Parrish) Connie Stevens is a young, tobacco road loose woman, and she shines - a supporting Oscar should have been hers. Diane McBain wows us as a spoiled rich girl who can't get Parrish, so she tries to bring him down. She also wears supporting Oscar. Sharon Huegeny, as Miss Goody Twoshoes plays it perfect and you love her because just about everybody else is rotten to the core. And Dean Jagger rounds out the story as a wise older friend,imparting to Parrish his life's work and heritage. Further supporting cast includes Dub Taylor and Hampton Francher. Perfect for a rainy afternoon, a summer day, a fall evening, winter in front of the fire, in other words, anytime. Take a chance, it's a super fun and escape movie!
Sort of like "Giant" but about tobacco....and infused with a liberal dose of soap and sleaze.
planktonrules22 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is an odd little movie that I quite enjoyed--and it reminded me quite a bit of "Giant". Instead of oil or ranching, the theme here is tobacco. Also, compared to this earlier film, "Parrish" has been 'sexed-up' a bit--with some sleazy subplots and liberal doses of cursing--something that must have turned some heads back in 1961. Obviously the old Production Code of 1934 was starting to lose its power.
Good looking Troy Donahue and his mother (Claudette Colbert) live in the home of a once-rich planter (Dean Jagger), as Colbert is sort of a maid (though she never dresses as one or seems to do any work). Colbert was 58 when she made this movie and her then falling in love and marrying Jagger's rival (Karl Malden)--which is a tiny bit hard to believe as Malden was 49 (though these actual ages were never mentioned in the film). Unfortunately, while Colbert is in love with Malden, he's a hard-driven and unscrupulous man. At first, Donahue goes to work for him but soon sees that the guy will do anything...absolutely anything to drive his competitors out of business. What is Troy to do? The film is very entertaining and actually well made and acted despite the amazingly soapy script. There's an alcoholic son, another who is unscrupulous and has an illegitimate secret love child from the same woman who Donahue was sleeping with early in the film (Connie Stevens). There also are several other women who want Donahue--one of which is the most incredibly conniving lady who loves to sleep around on her husband. All this is quite compelling and beyond the sleaze, the plot is pretty exciting and captivating.
By the way, look for an oddly re-dubbed scene with Malden talking on a two-way radio--it's almost his voice but you can tell it isn't if you listen carefully. The director must have decided to somehow re-write a scene and apparently thought they could substitute a sound-a-like to do the voice-over.
Good looking Troy Donahue and his mother (Claudette Colbert) live in the home of a once-rich planter (Dean Jagger), as Colbert is sort of a maid (though she never dresses as one or seems to do any work). Colbert was 58 when she made this movie and her then falling in love and marrying Jagger's rival (Karl Malden)--which is a tiny bit hard to believe as Malden was 49 (though these actual ages were never mentioned in the film). Unfortunately, while Colbert is in love with Malden, he's a hard-driven and unscrupulous man. At first, Donahue goes to work for him but soon sees that the guy will do anything...absolutely anything to drive his competitors out of business. What is Troy to do? The film is very entertaining and actually well made and acted despite the amazingly soapy script. There's an alcoholic son, another who is unscrupulous and has an illegitimate secret love child from the same woman who Donahue was sleeping with early in the film (Connie Stevens). There also are several other women who want Donahue--one of which is the most incredibly conniving lady who loves to sleep around on her husband. All this is quite compelling and beyond the sleaze, the plot is pretty exciting and captivating.
By the way, look for an oddly re-dubbed scene with Malden talking on a two-way radio--it's almost his voice but you can tell it isn't if you listen carefully. The director must have decided to somehow re-write a scene and apparently thought they could substitute a sound-a-like to do the voice-over.
Troy's a Far Cry from A Summer Place
JLRMovieReviews29 June 2011
Troy Donahue and mother Claudette Colbert move so that she can assist Dean Jagger and his daughter, but we never see her do anything, in this film adaptation of Mildred Savage's novel, Parrish. Instead it centers on Troy's character, Parrish McLean, who of course attracts the opposite sex very easily. Viewers going into this, knowing nothing, expecting another film like "A Summer Place" with Troy and Sandra Dee, will on the whole be disappointed. It does have Connie Stevens in the first 45 minutes literally throwing herself at him, and I still can't decide if the unintentionally-funny dialogue was so bad, it was good or if it was so bad, it was embarrassing. Delmer Daves who adapted "A Summer Place" wrote this as well, and he holds nothing back. I knew Karl Malden, who here is a tobacco tycoon and a rival to Dean Jagger, was a great actor and that he had some lungs, but Karl really outdid himself here. Nobody and nothing is subtle in this family saga working in the tobacco industry. And, while, its over-the-top treatment may be good to a degree, in order to deliver the entertainment, it gets a bit too much and quite a few times, I kept thinking 'Delmer, you're killing me.' Parrish tries to learn the tobacco industry, and while the topic may appeal to a certain few, other viewers will be wondering when will this end. The dynamics of the characters and dramatics of the story moves the viewer along up to the first hour and a half, but it tends to drag by the end. If you want another beach movie, like "A Summer Place," this is far from it. But enjoy it for what it is, if you can, a soap-opera tale with Troy romancing three girls, while working in the tobacco fields.
Character actors steal the show from the young'uns
blanche-217 September 2012
Troy Donahue is "Parrish" in this 1961 Delmar Daves production, also starring Diane McBain, Connie Stevens, Claudette Colbert, Dean Jagger, Karl Malden, and Sharon Hugueny.
It's the story of competing tobacco farmers in Connecticut, and Parrish's mother Ellen (Colbert) is hired by Sala Post (Dean Jagger) to watch over his wild daughter Alison (McBain). He doesn't want Parrish living with her, so Parrish gets a job working on the tobacco farm and moves in with a bunch of the workers, one of whom is Lucy (Stevens). Lucy has been around the block and soon takes Parrish with her, even though she has a secret beau whom she sees from time to time.
However, Alison gets a look at the blond hunk and wants him for herself.
Sala Post is one of the few independent tobacco growers in the area, thanks to the long reach of Judd Raike, who is unscrupulous and encourages his two sons Edgar and Wiley (Hampton Fancher and David Knapp) to be the same way. The lives of Parrish, Ellen, and the Raikes merge when Ellen and Judd fall in love.
Ellen is Colbert's last film role. At one time the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, when a reporter asked her why she wasn't making movies, she replied, "There haven't been any offers." By the time she was 51, her film career was pretty much over, and she basically worked on stage and television. Always good-looking and lovely, her last appearance was in the miniseries The Two Mrs. Grenvilles in 1986. Based on the real-life killing of William Woodruff, Jr., many who knew Alice, his mother, said that Colbert played the role to perfection.
Troy Donahue was a favorite of Daves for these early '60s films with young casts, probably marketed to teens. Tall, blond, and good-looking Donahue had a nice speaking voice, but he was basically eye candy and not much of an actor. And in fact, the younger stars were chosen for their blond good looks: Donahue, McBain, and Stevens, though Stevens acquits herself well. McBain is gorgeous, and it's highly unlikely that at the age of 19 or so, she needed to be photographed through that much gauze.
The real stars, as stated, are the character actors. Some of the young people found their careers tough going. Sadly, Sharon Hugeny, who plays Paige Raike, died of cancer at the age of 52. And despite her film career fizzling, Diane McBain continued to work on stage and television. A rape victim in 1982, she has devoted a great deal of time working as a rape counselor.
Like most Delmar Daves films, Parrish is opulent-looking, soapy and maybe 10-15 minutes too long. In this case, there's quite a bit on how to grow tobacco, which is quite interesting. There are also some wonderful performances particularly by Malden, Jagger, and Colbert.
Entertaining.
It's the story of competing tobacco farmers in Connecticut, and Parrish's mother Ellen (Colbert) is hired by Sala Post (Dean Jagger) to watch over his wild daughter Alison (McBain). He doesn't want Parrish living with her, so Parrish gets a job working on the tobacco farm and moves in with a bunch of the workers, one of whom is Lucy (Stevens). Lucy has been around the block and soon takes Parrish with her, even though she has a secret beau whom she sees from time to time.
However, Alison gets a look at the blond hunk and wants him for herself.
Sala Post is one of the few independent tobacco growers in the area, thanks to the long reach of Judd Raike, who is unscrupulous and encourages his two sons Edgar and Wiley (Hampton Fancher and David Knapp) to be the same way. The lives of Parrish, Ellen, and the Raikes merge when Ellen and Judd fall in love.
Ellen is Colbert's last film role. At one time the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, when a reporter asked her why she wasn't making movies, she replied, "There haven't been any offers." By the time she was 51, her film career was pretty much over, and she basically worked on stage and television. Always good-looking and lovely, her last appearance was in the miniseries The Two Mrs. Grenvilles in 1986. Based on the real-life killing of William Woodruff, Jr., many who knew Alice, his mother, said that Colbert played the role to perfection.
Troy Donahue was a favorite of Daves for these early '60s films with young casts, probably marketed to teens. Tall, blond, and good-looking Donahue had a nice speaking voice, but he was basically eye candy and not much of an actor. And in fact, the younger stars were chosen for their blond good looks: Donahue, McBain, and Stevens, though Stevens acquits herself well. McBain is gorgeous, and it's highly unlikely that at the age of 19 or so, she needed to be photographed through that much gauze.
The real stars, as stated, are the character actors. Some of the young people found their careers tough going. Sadly, Sharon Hugeny, who plays Paige Raike, died of cancer at the age of 52. And despite her film career fizzling, Diane McBain continued to work on stage and television. A rape victim in 1982, she has devoted a great deal of time working as a rape counselor.
Like most Delmar Daves films, Parrish is opulent-looking, soapy and maybe 10-15 minutes too long. In this case, there's quite a bit on how to grow tobacco, which is quite interesting. There are also some wonderful performances particularly by Malden, Jagger, and Colbert.
Entertaining.
Smoke Opera
bkoganbing17 April 2011
Troy Donahue plays the title character Parrish who together with mother Claudette Colbert settles in the Connecticut Valley tobacco growing area and both change the lives of all around them. The story tries for an Edna Ferber like epic quality and misses. I think mainly because Troy Donahue is not a guy whom you would think of to star in epic films.
Originally Colbert was hired on by gentleman tobacco planter Dean Jagger to put some finishing touches on his spoiled daughter Diane McBain. But she gets gradually drawn to Karl Malden who is like one of those old fashioned robber baron types in his dynamism and greed. He's got a couple of dimwit sons who like the privileges, but can't handle the responsibility of being a tobacco king. Malden also has a daughter in Sharon Hugenny who's a good kid and must have got that from her mother.
As for Donahue, he's more or less involved with three women during the film, McBain, Hugenny, and Connie Stevens who is from a white trash family of itinerant tobacco farm workers headed by Dub Taylor. Stevens gets pregnant during the course of the film and a lot of Donahue's problems are that people around think he did it.
Malden has the most dynamic role in the film and he does make the most of it. He's a man obsessed with getting control of the whole Connecticut River Valley, like some cattle baron in the plot of a few thousand westerns. At the same time he knows that the force of his own personality has made idiots of his two sons and he thinks time is running out.
This was Claudette Colbert's last big screen appearance and she does have a good role to go out on. She did do stage work after this and one made for television film.
As for Donahue he's miscast in a part that was made for the late James Dean. Paul Newman could have also done quite a bit more with the part than Donahue managed. The film also ends rather abruptly as I was expecting quite a bit more to come. Almost like Warner Brothers just decided to not spend any more money.
Donahue, McBain, and Stevens were all starring in Warner Brothers television shows at the time Parrish was made. The popularity of television stardom gave Parrish a built in box office before a single ticket was sold. Parrish is not a bad film, but with some better casting in the lead, could have been much better.
Originally Colbert was hired on by gentleman tobacco planter Dean Jagger to put some finishing touches on his spoiled daughter Diane McBain. But she gets gradually drawn to Karl Malden who is like one of those old fashioned robber baron types in his dynamism and greed. He's got a couple of dimwit sons who like the privileges, but can't handle the responsibility of being a tobacco king. Malden also has a daughter in Sharon Hugenny who's a good kid and must have got that from her mother.
As for Donahue, he's more or less involved with three women during the film, McBain, Hugenny, and Connie Stevens who is from a white trash family of itinerant tobacco farm workers headed by Dub Taylor. Stevens gets pregnant during the course of the film and a lot of Donahue's problems are that people around think he did it.
Malden has the most dynamic role in the film and he does make the most of it. He's a man obsessed with getting control of the whole Connecticut River Valley, like some cattle baron in the plot of a few thousand westerns. At the same time he knows that the force of his own personality has made idiots of his two sons and he thinks time is running out.
This was Claudette Colbert's last big screen appearance and she does have a good role to go out on. She did do stage work after this and one made for television film.
As for Donahue he's miscast in a part that was made for the late James Dean. Paul Newman could have also done quite a bit more with the part than Donahue managed. The film also ends rather abruptly as I was expecting quite a bit more to come. Almost like Warner Brothers just decided to not spend any more money.
Donahue, McBain, and Stevens were all starring in Warner Brothers television shows at the time Parrish was made. The popularity of television stardom gave Parrish a built in box office before a single ticket was sold. Parrish is not a bad film, but with some better casting in the lead, could have been much better.
Great soap!
dubchi29 April 2005
While the novel by Mildred Savage contains plot lines the film simply could not cover due to time constraints,the beautifully photographed "Parrish" is very enjoyable if you have read and loved the book.Some of the deletions from the novel tightened the storyline though at least one section (where Judd swindles Parrish on a boat deal) should have been added to the film to provide better character motivation and audience understanding.However,at 138 minutes (most prints) already this was not practical.To appreciate the novel and film, the time and place the story takes place (late 1950's rural America) must be taken into consideration.This was a much more innocent time.The actors/actresses used by Producer/Director Delmer Daves are a near perfect fit to reflect the authors intention;a mixture of attractive,unsure,inquisitive,opinionated and passionate teens/early 20's making their place in an adult world.Troy Donahue,not an actor of great expressiveness and polish,had the part of a lifetime as his limitations were the same as the title character.He became Parrish. Karl Malden as Judd Raike was brilliant. I wish there had been a sequel!
"Parrish" was the beginning of the end for many
chuck-reilly18 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Delmer Daves' 1961 quasi-epic "Parrish" was supposed to be the "coming out party" of sorts for its young cast. The movie was a big-budget soap opera on a par with "Peyton Place" and it boasted many of the up-and-coming stars of the day. Unfortunately, although the film was mostly well-served by its cast of would-be stars and starlets, it fell somewhat flat with the public and critics were none too kind. Troy Donahue had the title role and he didn't exactly set the screen on fire with his wooden acting and expressionless face. His miscasting was only a minor problem compared to the movie's bloated length and endless storyline. That said, the main plot is actually quite good. A young man (Parrish) decides to learn the tobacco business on a Connecticut farm under the guidance of a veteran farmer named Sala Post (a fine Dean Jagger). While learning the job and earning his keep, he's smitten by Post's vibrant and out-of-control daughter (Diane McBain at her best) but that romance is upstaged by an affair he has with one of the hired hands (Connie Stevens in tight bluejeans). Parrish's elegant mother (Claudette Colbert in her final screen appearance) arrives on the scene and announces to all that she's marrying Post's main competitor, the ruthless Judd Raike (a snarling and unsympathetic Karl Malden). What she sees in this maniacal tycoon (other than his deep pockets) is never explained to the viewing audience. Raike soon recruits Parrish away from Post to learn the tobacco business the hard way and proceeds to "rake" him over the coals at every opportunity. Also in the mix are Raike's rotten sons from a previous marriage who naturally take a permanent disliking to the new kid on the block. Parrish does find an ally in Raike's good-looking younger daughter, Paige (Sharon Hugueny), but even she can't dissuade him from quitting his job and joining the Navy. Luckily for Parrish, the Navy makes a real man out of him in no time flat. After a four year hitch, he returns to Connecticut to begin his career again and settle some old scores. It all sounds very dramatic, but Donahue's the wrong fellow to be playing the lead. He would've been better cast as one of the Raikes.
Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and most notably Sharon Hugueny, all had limited success after this film. The late Ms. Hugueny faded into obscurity after a near fatal accident and a few bad marriages. That's a shame because she was quite beautiful in her day and had tremendous potential as an actress. Veteran Oscar winners from the past, Malden, Colbert and Jagger all handle their roles with professionalism in the film and are entirely watchable during their screen time. The cinematography is first-rate and probably the best thing about "Parrish." Mildred Savage wrote the novel and director Daves handled the script. As for Troy Donahue, he had a tough life as his star soon faded in the mid-1960s. Long past his prime, he was spotted in "Godfather Part II" with a small role as Connie Corleone's gigolo husband-to-be. His name in the film is Merle Johnson, which happened to be his real name. He died in 2000 from a heart attack. But he'll always have "Parrish."
Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and most notably Sharon Hugueny, all had limited success after this film. The late Ms. Hugueny faded into obscurity after a near fatal accident and a few bad marriages. That's a shame because she was quite beautiful in her day and had tremendous potential as an actress. Veteran Oscar winners from the past, Malden, Colbert and Jagger all handle their roles with professionalism in the film and are entirely watchable during their screen time. The cinematography is first-rate and probably the best thing about "Parrish." Mildred Savage wrote the novel and director Daves handled the script. As for Troy Donahue, he had a tough life as his star soon faded in the mid-1960s. Long past his prime, he was spotted in "Godfather Part II" with a small role as Connie Corleone's gigolo husband-to-be. His name in the film is Merle Johnson, which happened to be his real name. He died in 2000 from a heart attack. But he'll always have "Parrish."
The Raikes' Progress
richardchatten28 August 2018
Only in Hollywood could Troy Donahue have been top-billed over Claudette Colbert in the title role of an opulent folly like this.
Refreshing as it is to see the evergreen Ms Colbert's charms still pulling in the men at the age of 56, her whirlwind romance in this movie with Karl Malden (!) - who attacks the part more like The Demon King than Prince Charming - is just one of many components that make this cinematic juggernaut harder and harder to take seriously as it relentlessly unfurls like half a dozen episodes of 'Dallas' laid end to end.
I would love to have seen more of Sylvia Miles and Madeleine Sherwood as the butch-looking pair of plantation workers in retro 50's bikers' jeans who come close to debagging Donahue when he first shows up. While Dean Jagger's usual passionate restraint dominates all his scenes as he once more demonstrates how less can often be more...
Refreshing as it is to see the evergreen Ms Colbert's charms still pulling in the men at the age of 56, her whirlwind romance in this movie with Karl Malden (!) - who attacks the part more like The Demon King than Prince Charming - is just one of many components that make this cinematic juggernaut harder and harder to take seriously as it relentlessly unfurls like half a dozen episodes of 'Dallas' laid end to end.
I would love to have seen more of Sylvia Miles and Madeleine Sherwood as the butch-looking pair of plantation workers in retro 50's bikers' jeans who come close to debagging Donahue when he first shows up. While Dean Jagger's usual passionate restraint dominates all his scenes as he once more demonstrates how less can often be more...
A sight for sore eyes
phyzzique6 November 2001
The first time I saw the movie 'Parrish' was when it was released in theaters back in the early sixties. I have never forgotten it. The score by Max Steiner is wonderful. Seeing screen legend Claudette Colbert on screen again after coming out of retirement was a sight for sore eyes. Parrish's three girl-friends: Diane McBain, Connie Stevens and Sharon Hugueny are all stunning. America's finest character actor, Karl Malden, is his usual marvelous self. Once again director/writer Delmer Daves gives his audience two hours of fine entertainment. Finally, the supporting cast is filled with familiar faces who have become famous and it's fun identifying them.
Better to roll your own
bobvend20 December 2019
A half-decent story buried under a mountain of suds and soft focus, Parrish rates low on pure smoking satisfaction. It is glaringly apparent that Troy Donahue was valued more for his boy-next-door good looks than his acting range, and this film never misses an opportunity to linger on close-ups of his apparently optically-enhanced eyes. Playing the title character, he's too ivy-league come off as a believable farmhand, and there's at least three desirable dolls aching for his affections (production note- see if Elvis is available if Donahue drops out)
The grown-ups, blustery Karl Malden and always charming Claudette Colbert, manage well enough, and there are some potentially engaging plot elements, but they're too soggy to catch fire. The story rises and falls rather predictably, and it's all very good-looking even when it shouldn't be. The overall effect is like Douglas Sirk meets Tobacco Road, terribly over-long. glossy and episodic.
The grown-ups, blustery Karl Malden and always charming Claudette Colbert, manage well enough, and there are some potentially engaging plot elements, but they're too soggy to catch fire. The story rises and falls rather predictably, and it's all very good-looking even when it shouldn't be. The overall effect is like Douglas Sirk meets Tobacco Road, terribly over-long. glossy and episodic.
Tobacco Farming with Troy
5November17 December 2006
Last weekend I wanted to watch a film from my teen years... something that would take me back to those years of wonderment and yearning. I looked through my collection, spotted "Parrish" and knew I had found what I was looking forward. The story of a young man and his mother who move to Connecticut and involve themselves in tobacco farming, meeting a ruthless man and his family and a kind man and his spoiled daughter, it was a feast of young actors and respected mature stars. There wasn't a teen girl of those days and I dare say a few boys whose hearts didn't beat faster at the sight of Troy Donahue. His acting was pouty and wooden but there were those slim, handsome, blond looks, often wearing a red jacket that made teens break their clinches and sit up and pay attention. Whether he was romancing Connie Stevens (the first of their three films together) or Diane McBain (she hooked up with Donahue on the tube) or brunette Sharon Hugueny or whether he was emoting with Claudette Colbert (who came out of retirement for "Parrish" and then promptly retired again) or the esteemed Karl Malden and Dean Jagger, Donahue always came out second best in the acting department. This was Donahue's second of four straight films with director Delmer Daves and the older man certainly learned how to showcase the young blond hunk. The film has a bright and shiny look, plenty of melodrama and a gorgeous Max Steiner score. Get yourself some popcorn, put your feet up on the table and sit back and enjoy "Parrish."
The tobacco road
dbdumonteil5 January 2011
They do not do movies like "Parrish" anymore nowadays ;and even if they made a remake ,they could not locate the action on tobacco fields anymore:tobacco has become uncool ."Parrish" ,like "a summer place" "Peyton Place" or "imitation of life " (the latter being the best of the genre ,surpassing the first version in several respects) is this kind of giant melodrama for which 135 min are not enough;there are so many characters it would take a miniseries to make them all really live ;anyway this kind of story lives on in miniseries such as "Dallas" ,"Dynasty" and others .When the movie ends ,it could actually go on and on and on for two more hours .
"Parrish" is certainly enjoyable if you like this kind of long tale .They say Troy Donahue was a limited actor but he carries the weight of a two hours and a quarter movie on his shoulders for his time on screen is twice as long as veterans Claudette Colbert (last role) and Karl Malden who overacts all the way and his three (count'em) loves appear only now and then ,the first one (Connie Stevens) almost absent in the last hour.And he manages quite well:James Dean ,he was not ,but he was more than a pretty face (more expressive than in "a summer place" )and he turns his scenes opposite Malden and son to his advantage .
It's love at first sight all the way :there's a kiss in Donahue's first scenes with the first two girls ;and Colbert and Malden fall for each other just after they met for the first time.The part of the mother (and stepmother) is underwritten and does not do Colbert justice .Sometimes it seems that Parrish is in fact in love with her,she's the only one he really fights for (during the scene of the ball,he forces Malden's evil son to make an announcement to welcome his stepmother;he tells him that when she offers to shake hands with him ,he MUST do it)
The cinematography is splendid ,with a great use of wide screen ,particularly during the scene of the fire in the night.So you forget how stereotyped the characters are : the ruthless tycoon,his lazy offspring,the field hand pregnant by her secret date,the wise man who gives the young rebel pieces of advice and who considers him his son after Alison's money match.
It's amazing that Delmer Daves ,who excelled at western and gave classics such as "broken arrow" and "3:10 To Yuma " gave up after "the hanging tree" (1959).From "A summer place" (in which Donahue starred too) to "the battle of the Villa Florita" ,melodrama rules.
That said "Parrish " has stood the test of time quite well and remains eminently watchable today.You simply haven't got the time to get bored!
"Parrish" is certainly enjoyable if you like this kind of long tale .They say Troy Donahue was a limited actor but he carries the weight of a two hours and a quarter movie on his shoulders for his time on screen is twice as long as veterans Claudette Colbert (last role) and Karl Malden who overacts all the way and his three (count'em) loves appear only now and then ,the first one (Connie Stevens) almost absent in the last hour.And he manages quite well:James Dean ,he was not ,but he was more than a pretty face (more expressive than in "a summer place" )and he turns his scenes opposite Malden and son to his advantage .
It's love at first sight all the way :there's a kiss in Donahue's first scenes with the first two girls ;and Colbert and Malden fall for each other just after they met for the first time.The part of the mother (and stepmother) is underwritten and does not do Colbert justice .Sometimes it seems that Parrish is in fact in love with her,she's the only one he really fights for (during the scene of the ball,he forces Malden's evil son to make an announcement to welcome his stepmother;he tells him that when she offers to shake hands with him ,he MUST do it)
The cinematography is splendid ,with a great use of wide screen ,particularly during the scene of the fire in the night.So you forget how stereotyped the characters are : the ruthless tycoon,his lazy offspring,the field hand pregnant by her secret date,the wise man who gives the young rebel pieces of advice and who considers him his son after Alison's money match.
It's amazing that Delmer Daves ,who excelled at western and gave classics such as "broken arrow" and "3:10 To Yuma " gave up after "the hanging tree" (1959).From "A summer place" (in which Donahue starred too) to "the battle of the Villa Florita" ,melodrama rules.
That said "Parrish " has stood the test of time quite well and remains eminently watchable today.You simply haven't got the time to get bored!
Convoluted and boring soap opera
preppy-326 May 2018
Troy Donahue (in his first starring role) plays Parrish McLean. The plot is VERY confused with too many subplots to get into but here's the main one--Ellen Parrish's widowed mother (Claudette Colbert in her final big screen appearance) marries nasty tobacco famer Judd Raike (Karl Malden) who wants to run all the other tobacco farms out of business. Parrish fights back.
It's too long at 138 minutes and way too plot heavy. A lot of subplots are bought up and dropped completely. The acting is mostly terrible--Donahue is wooden and Malden screams his whole role. Colbert (who came out of retirement for this) tries but the poor woman has nothing to work with. Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Sharon Hugueny are good in supporting roles but not enough to save the movie. Dull and forgettable. Beware commercial TV prints which cut the movie by about 40 minutes to fit into a two hour time slot.
It's too long at 138 minutes and way too plot heavy. A lot of subplots are bought up and dropped completely. The acting is mostly terrible--Donahue is wooden and Malden screams his whole role. Colbert (who came out of retirement for this) tries but the poor woman has nothing to work with. Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Sharon Hugueny are good in supporting roles but not enough to save the movie. Dull and forgettable. Beware commercial TV prints which cut the movie by about 40 minutes to fit into a two hour time slot.
A nice love story for the teens of 1961 or today to love, but the real treasure here are the characters played by Karl Malden and Dean Jagger.
Patrick.D24 January 2000
I'm not sure how many times I've seen this movie, but whenever I notice it's on TV, I try to catch it. I just love the characters played by Karl Malden & Dean Jagger -- particularly Dean Jagger's character. Dean Jagger is at his best when he plays the part of the older gentlemen passing on wisdom to the next generation. He does it quite well in this movie, and an even better job of it in the movie 12 O'clock High. Both are films worth seeing.
Karl Malden's character is equally interesting. Even though he plays a real heavy in this movie, one can't help but feel sorry for him. Surrounded by sons who are worthless in his eyes, the only one worth a damn is a step-son (played by Troy) who refuses to kow-tow to Karl's wishes.
Karl Malden's character is equally interesting. Even though he plays a real heavy in this movie, one can't help but feel sorry for him. Surrounded by sons who are worthless in his eyes, the only one worth a damn is a step-son (played by Troy) who refuses to kow-tow to Karl's wishes.
Parrish Minus the Passion
wes-connors20 April 2011
Handsome blond Troy Donahue (as Parrish McLean) accompanies mother Claudette Colbert (as Ellen) when she is employed to work on a Connecticut tobacco farm chaperoning a young débutante. As soon as Mr. Donahue arrives, young women become aroused by his handsomeness. Employer Dean Jagger (as Sala Post) tells Ms. Colbert her good-looking son will not be welcome on the estate. A smart man, the veteran tobacco farmer correctly realizes sultry daughter Diane McBain (as Alison) would be aroused by Donahue.
Indeed, as the film plays out, Ms. McBain is revealed as quite a tramp. Colbert doesn't seem to have much of a positive influence on her young charge. Instead, Colbert begins a romance with younger man Karl Malden (as Judd Raike), who is the biggest tobacco farmer in the area - nice catch for Colbert, as he is worth over $20 million...
Meanwhile, Donahue shacks up with sexy field hand Connie Stevens (as Lucy), who could be pregnant with a child belonging to one of Mr. Malden's two sexually active sons. The daddy is supposed to be a secret, but it's easy to figure out. Donahue and Ms. Stevens have the film's sexiest scene - he is shirtless due to a rash and she fills a pink frock in the right places.
Next, Donahue takes his turn with McBain, who has also hooked up with a Malden son. These sons are, but the way, Hampton Fancher (as Edgar) and David Knapp (as Wiley); they are the least known of the main cast, but essay two of the better characterizations. Mr. Jagger also does well in his limited role. Back at our drama, Donahue catches the eye of Malden's fetching underage daughter Sharon Hugueny (as Paige). With all these romances, everyone still plants tobacco...
In all likelihood, "Parrish" would have won a few of the "Worst" acting awards given more often today. The epic passion in Mildred Savage's original novel has been transformed into glossy posturing. Still, it does look beautiful.
***** Parrish (5/4/61) Delmer Daves ~ Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden, Connie Stevens
Indeed, as the film plays out, Ms. McBain is revealed as quite a tramp. Colbert doesn't seem to have much of a positive influence on her young charge. Instead, Colbert begins a romance with younger man Karl Malden (as Judd Raike), who is the biggest tobacco farmer in the area - nice catch for Colbert, as he is worth over $20 million...
Meanwhile, Donahue shacks up with sexy field hand Connie Stevens (as Lucy), who could be pregnant with a child belonging to one of Mr. Malden's two sexually active sons. The daddy is supposed to be a secret, but it's easy to figure out. Donahue and Ms. Stevens have the film's sexiest scene - he is shirtless due to a rash and she fills a pink frock in the right places.
Next, Donahue takes his turn with McBain, who has also hooked up with a Malden son. These sons are, but the way, Hampton Fancher (as Edgar) and David Knapp (as Wiley); they are the least known of the main cast, but essay two of the better characterizations. Mr. Jagger also does well in his limited role. Back at our drama, Donahue catches the eye of Malden's fetching underage daughter Sharon Hugueny (as Paige). With all these romances, everyone still plants tobacco...
In all likelihood, "Parrish" would have won a few of the "Worst" acting awards given more often today. The epic passion in Mildred Savage's original novel has been transformed into glossy posturing. Still, it does look beautiful.
***** Parrish (5/4/61) Delmer Daves ~ Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden, Connie Stevens
Warners had a treasure in Diane - What happened?!?
gregcouture30 April 2003
I recall a review of this one in which the cinematographer, Harry Stradling, Sr., was given high marks for his very classy showcasing of the young Diane McBain's ravishingly blonde beauty. She gave a riveting performance in this one, amidst some rather high-powered competition from the likes of Karl Malden, Dean Jagger, Claudette Colbert, and Connie Stevens getting some well-earned sympathy as a poor young thing besotted with her yearning for pretty-boy Troy Donahue. Miss McBain's filmography is a sorry testament to how Hollywood could take an extraordinarily attractive young actress, possessed of some genuine talent, and misuse and disuse her until everyone within the industry eventually believed that she had nothing worthwhile to offer.
The story was quite a mish-mash and I remember being quite upset that the lovely Miss Colbert had come out of retirement to play a role that reinforced the old cliche that "It's a man's world and you women better kowtow or else!" I wanted her to give that greedy old brute, mercilessly enacted by Karl Malden, and his bullying sons some kind of a comeuppance, which certainly shouldn't have been beyond the screenwriters, whose contrivances were about as convoluted as one could get away with before the revolutions in social mores, just a few years away when this was filmed, overwhelmed us.
But it's a guilty pleasure nevertheless. Delmer Daves really knew how to maneuver the elements to give audiences back then a good measure of mindless satisfaction. It's worth a not-too-demanding look-see.
The story was quite a mish-mash and I remember being quite upset that the lovely Miss Colbert had come out of retirement to play a role that reinforced the old cliche that "It's a man's world and you women better kowtow or else!" I wanted her to give that greedy old brute, mercilessly enacted by Karl Malden, and his bullying sons some kind of a comeuppance, which certainly shouldn't have been beyond the screenwriters, whose contrivances were about as convoluted as one could get away with before the revolutions in social mores, just a few years away when this was filmed, overwhelmed us.
But it's a guilty pleasure nevertheless. Delmer Daves really knew how to maneuver the elements to give audiences back then a good measure of mindless satisfaction. It's worth a not-too-demanding look-see.
Claudette Colbert Returns in a lush Troy Donahue Film
AndersonWhitbeck16 February 2011
Parrish reflects a beautiful time in American history. The USA was not at war and the world was more civil, more decent and simpler in tastes. This beautifully filmed movie reflects that era beautifully.
Troy Donahue made a hit in Lana Turner's smash comeback Imitation of Life and then went on to nearby Warners. WB starred Donahue in A Summer Place with Sandra Dee which was a big big hit and then followed this film co starring a bevy of WB beauties Diane McBain, Connie Stevens and Sharon Hugueny. While the part of Donahue's mother would seem to have been tailor made for the great Bette Davis who New England to her core, Warners signed Claudette Colbert a wonderful actress, and a major star. (Bette lost her Oscar for Of Human Bondage to Colbert's It Happened One Night, years later Colbert fell ill and left All About Eve and Bette Davis scored one of her greatest triumphs). Also starring is Karl Malden and if you look closely you find other WB contract stars in small roles.
This movie is a romantic and wonderful film set in the Tobacco Fields of Connecticut, and has stunning photography and a lush romantic score. "Paige's Theme" is wonderful music.
Some may scoff at a Troy Donahue movie, but not me. I liked Troy Donahue's movies. Great watching for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
AHW
Troy Donahue made a hit in Lana Turner's smash comeback Imitation of Life and then went on to nearby Warners. WB starred Donahue in A Summer Place with Sandra Dee which was a big big hit and then followed this film co starring a bevy of WB beauties Diane McBain, Connie Stevens and Sharon Hugueny. While the part of Donahue's mother would seem to have been tailor made for the great Bette Davis who New England to her core, Warners signed Claudette Colbert a wonderful actress, and a major star. (Bette lost her Oscar for Of Human Bondage to Colbert's It Happened One Night, years later Colbert fell ill and left All About Eve and Bette Davis scored one of her greatest triumphs). Also starring is Karl Malden and if you look closely you find other WB contract stars in small roles.
This movie is a romantic and wonderful film set in the Tobacco Fields of Connecticut, and has stunning photography and a lush romantic score. "Paige's Theme" is wonderful music.
Some may scoff at a Troy Donahue movie, but not me. I liked Troy Donahue's movies. Great watching for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
AHW
Troy Donahue misused again.
jromanbaker7 October 2020
I am going to be brief in this review. I said what I had to say about Delmer Daves series of romantic/dramatic films after his fine Westerns. He had a good cast in ' Parrish ' with Claudette Colbert and Karl Malden, and despite the dreary pace and mediocre dialogue they really do their best. Example of dialogue; ' I am offering you a man's job. Can you handle it ? '. This from Karl Malden to Troy Donahue, and it does not get any better. Troy Donahue handles his role very well and unlike his role in ' Susan Slade ' he looks totally involved. I still feel he was woefully misused by Hollywood and given the chance he could have been a powerhouse different but as good as James Dean. But to return to this long, long film basically about women as ' tramps ' and tobacco fields. I rate it a five for some of the acting and the amazing fact that the truly great actor Claudette Colbert got involved in this trite, dull film.
Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert in great Delmer Davis WB Movie
adventure-219039 April 2020
Claudette Colbert, a true Movie Star, Oscar Winner (It Happened One Night) was cast in this movie Directed by Delmer Davis. Colbert was Class personified.
Ms. Colbert plays the Mother of Troy Donahue who got first billing top billing even over Colbert. Karl Malden who was cast in WB movies with other veteran actresses such as Bette Davis, Roz Russell and Merle Oberon co stars as a ruthless tobacco farmer who marries Ms. Colbert in the movie and crates tension between Malden and Donahue.
Jack Warner groomed Donahue and cast Troy with other WB stars such as Sharon Hugueny, Diane McBain and Connie Stevens. Hampton Fancher is excellent as a spoiled rich young man.
WB with Donahue, Stevens, Hardin, Povine, Brown, McBain, Byrnes,etc and MGM with Chamberlain, Pentiss, Peppard, Mimieux, Hamilton, Patten, and Columbia with Callan, Powers, Darren,Armstrong did a good job in creating movie stars with good training. Movies such as Breakfast At Tiffsmy's, Where The Boys Are, Parrish, Rome Adventure, The Interns, Die Die My Darling gave these stars great PR.
Lush photography and a Max Steiner score make this a great movie to watch.
Connie Stevens became a big star with roles at WB as "Susan Slade" Palm Springs Weekend," Two On A Guillotine" an "Never Too Late." Diane McBain has a "tremendous "entrance" in this "movie and plays the sassy debutante. One would have thought Diane Mc Bain would have become a big star but had to stand behind Natalie Wood, Connie Stevens and Dorothy Provine at WB. Diane did star in "Claudette English" which another WB actress was considered Shirley Knight, and had a featured role in Troy Donahue's western" A Distant Trumpet" directed by Raoul Walsh. Diane left WB when she was cast in "Sex And The Single Girl" not as the star which went to Natalie Wood but in a supporting role. Big mistake for the director of that film directed by Richard Quine also starred Tony Curtis, Lauren Bacall, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer. Quine is the talented Director who made all those great Kim Novak movies at Columbia and a reason Kim became a worldwide superstar. Sex and the Single Girl was a big budget would have been a good Dfor for Diane.
Parrish is one of my fave movies, and is awesome to see Claudette Colbert in her last theatrical film. Troy Donahue was a huge star at WB and after he left WB his career fizzled. He was for a time a great movie star and wonder if someday someone will write a book on the rise and fall of Troy Donahue.
Ms. Colbert plays the Mother of Troy Donahue who got first billing top billing even over Colbert. Karl Malden who was cast in WB movies with other veteran actresses such as Bette Davis, Roz Russell and Merle Oberon co stars as a ruthless tobacco farmer who marries Ms. Colbert in the movie and crates tension between Malden and Donahue.
Jack Warner groomed Donahue and cast Troy with other WB stars such as Sharon Hugueny, Diane McBain and Connie Stevens. Hampton Fancher is excellent as a spoiled rich young man.
WB with Donahue, Stevens, Hardin, Povine, Brown, McBain, Byrnes,etc and MGM with Chamberlain, Pentiss, Peppard, Mimieux, Hamilton, Patten, and Columbia with Callan, Powers, Darren,Armstrong did a good job in creating movie stars with good training. Movies such as Breakfast At Tiffsmy's, Where The Boys Are, Parrish, Rome Adventure, The Interns, Die Die My Darling gave these stars great PR.
Lush photography and a Max Steiner score make this a great movie to watch.
Connie Stevens became a big star with roles at WB as "Susan Slade" Palm Springs Weekend," Two On A Guillotine" an "Never Too Late." Diane McBain has a "tremendous "entrance" in this "movie and plays the sassy debutante. One would have thought Diane Mc Bain would have become a big star but had to stand behind Natalie Wood, Connie Stevens and Dorothy Provine at WB. Diane did star in "Claudette English" which another WB actress was considered Shirley Knight, and had a featured role in Troy Donahue's western" A Distant Trumpet" directed by Raoul Walsh. Diane left WB when she was cast in "Sex And The Single Girl" not as the star which went to Natalie Wood but in a supporting role. Big mistake for the director of that film directed by Richard Quine also starred Tony Curtis, Lauren Bacall, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer. Quine is the talented Director who made all those great Kim Novak movies at Columbia and a reason Kim became a worldwide superstar. Sex and the Single Girl was a big budget would have been a good Dfor for Diane.
Parrish is one of my fave movies, and is awesome to see Claudette Colbert in her last theatrical film. Troy Donahue was a huge star at WB and after he left WB his career fizzled. He was for a time a great movie star and wonder if someday someone will write a book on the rise and fall of Troy Donahue.
A rather good idea, derailed by the Parrish character.
jeremy37 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The plot of the movie was very good. I thought it was one of Karl Malden's finest performance. Malden's driven tobacco grower/businessman really captured the essence of what it means to become wealthy and stay wealthy. He was driven to understanding and controlling every aspect of his empire, and expecting total dedication and passion from his workers. I liked it when he told his new son-in-law Parrish (Troy Donahue) "no coffee breaks". In other words, you have to live for the job.
The rest of the minor acting was very good. The sons were very good as incompetent versions of their father, terrorized into doing anything to succeed for their father. The daughter was brilliant as the willfully disobedient one, but who had learned a lot about tobacco growing from classes she took. She was the one who helped Parrish to defy her father by Parrish taking over the one tobacco farm that wouldn't submit. The daughter of the tobacco farmer who hires Parrish originally is very good as someone who wants to get away from the whole dirty business in every way, but only knows how to defy through destructive behavior. Colbert is brilliant as a woman who is shrewd enough to know how to handle the ego and temper of a tobacco magnate.
The Parrish character was the most troublesome. He was good looking, and came to the Connecticut Valley with a suit. We are supposed to believe on the same day he started being an ordinary tobacco planter. Then, he seems to miraculously learn the business and be able to be an entrepreneur in a matter of months. The ending was corny. It was either out of Jack Kerouac or a Maoist propaganda film for The Great Leap Forward. We are supposed to believe he could arrive late in the planting season, and suddenly be able to find a team to plant tobacco and compete with a tobacco magnate. I don't know much about the tobacco business, but this really turned the movie into mush.
The rest of the minor acting was very good. The sons were very good as incompetent versions of their father, terrorized into doing anything to succeed for their father. The daughter was brilliant as the willfully disobedient one, but who had learned a lot about tobacco growing from classes she took. She was the one who helped Parrish to defy her father by Parrish taking over the one tobacco farm that wouldn't submit. The daughter of the tobacco farmer who hires Parrish originally is very good as someone who wants to get away from the whole dirty business in every way, but only knows how to defy through destructive behavior. Colbert is brilliant as a woman who is shrewd enough to know how to handle the ego and temper of a tobacco magnate.
The Parrish character was the most troublesome. He was good looking, and came to the Connecticut Valley with a suit. We are supposed to believe on the same day he started being an ordinary tobacco planter. Then, he seems to miraculously learn the business and be able to be an entrepreneur in a matter of months. The ending was corny. It was either out of Jack Kerouac or a Maoist propaganda film for The Great Leap Forward. We are supposed to believe he could arrive late in the planting season, and suddenly be able to find a team to plant tobacco and compete with a tobacco magnate. I don't know much about the tobacco business, but this really turned the movie into mush.
A beautiful film !
sweet16_1135720 September 2004
Connie Stevens in her hayday with her old nose and delightful presence.A charmer as Lucy the bad girl with the heart of gold. Diane Mc Bain stunningly beautiful and a gifted actress at her best. Claudette Colbert utterly elegant,charming and a great performance as the single Mother. Dean Jagger strong but sensitive in his portrayal. Karl Malden the epitome of an actor doing his craft. Troy Donahue was so-so.Not a good actor but looking good at this point in time.Warren Beatty would have been perfect in this role as Parrish. Max Steiner the musical genius of this film.The music was captivating and gave the story that extra specialness.The film score was four stars here.
of interest to cigar aficionados
donnellx30 March 2006
Regardless of how one regards the human interest story here, it nonetheless revolves around the activities of a tobacco plantation in Connecticut where they specialize in a certain kind of "shade grown" leaf that is still in demand for making the outer wrapper of premium cigars ultimately produced in the Caribbean islands, such as Macanudo. I just happened to recall seeing this movie on TV and recommended it during a casual discussion with some fellow connoisseurs of fine tobacco and then later decided to browse the web on this subject. Now I have little or nothing to add to other comments made about the quality of the film, except to say that I would not mind experiencing it again sometime.
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