Playwright William Inge never liked Shirley Booth, or her brilliant performance as Lola in the Broadway and original film versions of "Sheba" -- he wanted an actress that would be believable as a faded beauty. Inge did not live to see Woodward's version of Lola, but he probably would have adored it -- he knew her as a young beauty when she understudied Janice Rule in his "Picnic" on Broadway. But the curse on Lola's husband "Doc" endures, and Olivier is as miscast as Lancaster was in the '52 film. It's one of his hammiest performances. A very young Carrie Fisher is natural and luminous as Marie, and Woodward is wonderful as always, but there's no escaping the long shadow of Booth's heartbreaking, legendary performance, which remains the heart and soul of "Sheba." Inge was wrong.
5 Reviews
Come Back, Little Carrie
jpsgranville26 March 2020
I had been meaning to watch this drama for some time, having bought the 'Laurence Olivier Presents' 3-disc set years ago. The subsequent deaths of Olivier, Woodward and then Carrie Fisher put me off for reasons of sadness, I guess, but now, with Coronavirus turning people's thoughts towards entertainment from the archives, this is a compelling watch.
I am not familiar as others are with previous versions of Inge 's play, so I came to this with a fresh perspective, and while the subject is downbeat and Olivier gives his own version of American (with occasional British accent slip - ups), his performance is a compelling hark back to his performance as the fallen millionaire in Wyler's "Carrie" (1952). Woodward is also touching and compelling in a very unassuming way (among an excellent, mostly American supporting cast), even if she tends to fade into the background whenever Olivier is on screen, or the very attractive looking Carrie Fisher, giving us a reminder of why she was such a hot property at the time of 'Star Wars' in 1977.
I am not familiar as others are with previous versions of Inge 's play, so I came to this with a fresh perspective, and while the subject is downbeat and Olivier gives his own version of American (with occasional British accent slip - ups), his performance is a compelling hark back to his performance as the fallen millionaire in Wyler's "Carrie" (1952). Woodward is also touching and compelling in a very unassuming way (among an excellent, mostly American supporting cast), even if she tends to fade into the background whenever Olivier is on screen, or the very attractive looking Carrie Fisher, giving us a reminder of why she was such a hot property at the time of 'Star Wars' in 1977.
Excellent theater about a life not well lived.
mark.waltz18 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Married for many years, Joanne Woodward and Laurence Olivier have suffered through many crisis, notably his battles with alcoholism and her living in the past, the suffering from the loss of a dog home she refers to as if it was her own child. He's been sober for a year now but that's about to change due to the presence of beautiful new boarder Carrie Fisher who may not stir up lust in him but regret for both as they realize the emptiness in their lives. A drunken night out brings out a surprising violent side of Olivier thus leading to intervention.
Powerful performances from Woodward and Olivier and a sweet supporting one from Fisher makes this a nice variation of the classic play that gives a different perspective than the equally memorable Shirley Booth/Burt Lancaster movie and the many stage revivals that have come sense. This is a lot better than Granada TV's production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" also produced by Olivier. You really feel like you have gone back to the late 40's thanks to the atmosphere which aides in getting past the depressing elements of the story.
Powerful performances from Woodward and Olivier and a sweet supporting one from Fisher makes this a nice variation of the classic play that gives a different perspective than the equally memorable Shirley Booth/Burt Lancaster movie and the many stage revivals that have come sense. This is a lot better than Granada TV's production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" also produced by Olivier. You really feel like you have gone back to the late 40's thanks to the atmosphere which aides in getting past the depressing elements of the story.
Good adaptation of Inge's ply
peroleg12 February 2024
Review above, from 2020 has to be the strangest thing I ever read. I had to look at twice to make sure I got all the words right. The reviewer mentions that (s)he got the DVD of Laurence Olivier set. (that would be 2006 set that several of his made for TV plays), but "The subsequent deaths of Olivier, Woodward and then Carrie Fisher put me off for reasons of sadness"
What alternate reality has this been written in?? Laurence Olivier died in 1989, more than 30 years before that review, and more than 15 years prior to dvd set release! Did he only found out about Sir Larry's death 30 years after the fact, or was he still mourning Larry 30 years later??
And Joanne Woodward is still alive (and was in 2020). Did he decide to mourn her future death??
What alternate reality has this been written in?? Laurence Olivier died in 1989, more than 30 years before that review, and more than 15 years prior to dvd set release! Did he only found out about Sir Larry's death 30 years after the fact, or was he still mourning Larry 30 years later??
And Joanne Woodward is still alive (and was in 2020). Did he decide to mourn her future death??
oh my gosh!!! this movie was so "unquie"
confusedgrl1 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
OK so basically this lady is like going crazy and her husband used 2 b an alcoholic.....and they have art student living with them...anyways the old lady is like calling 4 her dead dog every morning...and the old dude is like on the verge of suicide through out the entire movie and they think that Marie (carrie fisher) is all "nice" but every night her and dirk are...."making the love"...i swear to god thats what the old lady refers to it as.....in the end the old dude gets totally wasted and gets sent to the crazy farm (mental hospital).....then he comes back and his wife is all like sad and like scared of him and he starts crying and then u're like is that the ending?? they sit me threw this totally boring movie and u leave me with an old guy crying?? not cool
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
