The Proud and Profane (1956)

Director:

George Seaton

Writers:

Lucy Herndon Crockett (novel)
George Seaton (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 September 1956 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

From The Best Selling Novel That Sensationally Told The Most Intimate Secrets Of A Woman's Love!

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

William Holden	...	Lt. Col. Colin Black
Deborah Kerr	...	Lee Ashley
Thelma Ritter	...	Kate Connors
Dewey Martin	...	Eddie Wodcik
William Redfield	...	Chaplain Lt. (jg) Holmes
Ross Bagdasarian	...	Louie
Adam Williams	...	Eustace Press
Marion Ross	...	Joan
Theodore Newton	...	Bob Kilpatrick
Richard Shannon	...	Major
Peter Hansen	...	Lieutenant (jg) Hutchins
Ward Wood	...	Sergeant Chester Peckinpaugh
Geraldine Hall	...	Helen
Evelyn Cotton	...	Beth
Ann Morriss	...	Pat

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

U.S. Virgin Islands

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Robert Morse's first film appearance.

Deborah, William, Thelma and Dewey Battle Effects of War

An intriguing recounting of the tolls of war from a human standpoint without graphic depiction of battle scenes, this focuses upon the lives of four primary characters stationed in Guadalcanal and/or Bataan, in the South Pacific, during World War II.

"The Proud and Profane" (Paramount, 1956) studies psychological aspects of its characters: Lieutenant Colonal Colin Black (William Holden in a belligerent role), Lee Ashley (Deborah Kerr as a determined force), Kate Connors (Thelma Ritter as a no-nonsense nursing supervisor), Eddie Wodcik (Dewey Martin as an innocent serviceman) and Chaplain Holmes (William Redfield as an altruistic minister).

While Lee volunteers with Kate's Red Cross troop with an ulterior motive in mind, Colin finds himself drawn to her unattainable reserve. Kate provides common sense for Lee to abide by and also security for the nurses and wounded service personal in her charge, as well as for Eddie, whom she treats as her nephew.

Produced by William Perlberg, directed by George Seaton, with its screenplay by George Seaton, based on a novel by Lucy Herndon Crockett, this wartime drama pleasantly buffers the viewer from unwelcome scenes of direct enemy attacks. Filmed in Black & White on location in Puerto Rico, this affords the viewer arrays of tropical scenery and often contains aerial footage of panoramic mountain scenery, as well as its calm coastal plains and lagoons.

Its capable cast handles its material well, with poignant portrayals of those who serve and suffer...in more ways than one.