Comment

Apr 24, 2015ManMachine rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
If nothing else - I think that this stark, sad, and very despairing drama (that touches on such subject matter as - alcoholism, bad marriages, loneliness, and youthful lust) is well-worth a view since it gives the spectator a very clear idea of the distinctive and dynamic acting-styles of the early-1950s. In particular - This 1952 film (which was adapted from a stage play of the same name) seems to exemplify that era of movie-making quite commendably as it attempts to faithfully portray "realism" without the usual Hollywood fluff & glamour thrown into the mix. Yes. This film contains its fair share of both terrific, as well as terrible moments - But, in the long run, I'd say that it hit its intended mark more often than it missed. 54 years old at the time, actress Shirley Booth was, to me, quite believable in her part as Lola Delaney, the gabby, frumpy, lonely wife of Doc Delaney, a secretly resentful, recovering alcoholic. This would be Booth's first film as an actress (though she had performed on stage for many years prior). For her in-depth portrayal as Lola, she won an Oscar for "Best Actress".