The Glass Menagerie (1950)

This first movie version of the Tennessee Williams play about a faded, aging Southern belle, her shy, crippled daughter and her "selfish dreamer" of a son more or less sticks to the ... See full summary »

Director:

Irving Rapper

Writers:

Peter Berneis (screenplay), Tennessee Williams (play),

Stars:

Jane Wyman, Kirk Douglas, Gertrude Lawrence

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jane Wyman	...	Laura Wingfield
Kirk Douglas	...	Jim O'Connor
Gertrude Lawrence	...	Amanda Wingfield
Arthur Kennedy	...	Tom Wingfield
Ralph Sanford	...	Mendoza
Ann Tyrrell	...	Clerk
John Compton	...	Young Man
Gertrude Graner	...	Instructor

Storyline

This first movie version of the Tennessee Williams play about a faded, aging Southern belle, her shy, crippled daughter and her "selfish dreamer" of a son more or less sticks to the original story, except for a compromise ending which strives to be more upbeat.

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Plot Keywords:

southern belle | aging | cripple | mother son relationship | handicap | 

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Taglines:

Four Academy Award predictions! Jane Wyman, Kirk Douglas, Gertrude Lawrence, Arthur Kennedy

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1951 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Algemas de Cristal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles K. Feldman Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In his 1988 autobiography, The Ragman's Son, 'Kirk Douglas' says that he thinks that the effectiveness of this movie was hampered by Gertrude Lawrence's vanity, since the filmmakers were obliged to add scenes that made her character look younger and more appealing. Douglas also says that he prefers the 1987 film version directed by Paul Newman over this one.

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Connections

Version of The Glass Menagerie (1973)

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Soundtracks

"Avalon"
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Rose
(based on "E lucevan le stelle" from the opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini)
Played on the phonograph when Laura goes to answer the door

User Reviews

gertie shines!

One of the few chances to see the great Gertrude Lawrence on screen. her amanda is so complex,manic,gentele,harsh. a truly great performance that was totally ignored by the academy.arthur kennedy too is compelling as tom. a shame he did not do more William's on screen he was one of the major stage interpreters of the man. only jane wyman seems miscast,a bit too character-actressy for the subtlty of the role to shine through.too bad,because without a good laura half the play is lost. a good effort that could have been great if they had not used wyman.