Tea and Sympathy (1956)

Tom Lee is a sensitive boy of 17 whose lack of interest in the "manly" pursuits of sports, mountain climbing and girls labels him "sister-boy" at the college he is attending. Head master ... See full summary »

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Robert Anderson (screenplay), Robert Anderson (based on the play by)

Stars:

Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, Leif Erickson

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deborah Kerr	...	Laura Reynolds
John Kerr	...	Tom Robinson Lee
Leif Erickson	...	Bill Reynolds
Edward Andrews	...	Herb Lee
Darryl Hickman	...	Al
Norma Crane	...	Ellie Martin
Dean Jones	...	Ollie
Jacqueline deWit	...	Lilly Sears
Tom Laughlin	...	Ralph
Ralph Votrian	...	Steve
Steven Terrell	...	Phil
Kip King	...	Ted
Jimmy Hayes	...	Henry
Richard Tyler	...	Roger
Don Burnett	...	Vic

Storyline

Tom Lee is a sensitive boy of 17 whose lack of interest in the "manly" pursuits of sports, mountain climbing and girls labels him "sister-boy" at the college he is attending. Head master Bill Reynold's wife Laura sees Tom's suffering at the hands of his school mates (and her husband), and tries to help him find himself.

---

Plot Keywords:

sister boy | school | student | roommate | reunion | 

---

Taglines:

Where does a woman's sympathy leave off -- and her indiscretion begin?

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1956 (France)

Also Known As:

Chá e Simpatia

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was adapted from a Broadway play that originally starred Deborah Kerr, John Kerr and Leif Erickson, who recreate their stage roles in this film. Also in the Broadway cast in supporting roles were Alan Sues (who later appeared on TV's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In) and Dick York (the first actor who played Darrin on TV's Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery). Joan Fontaine and Anthony Perkins also later appeared in the stage version of "Tea and Sympathy" as cast replacements during its long run. The stage production opened on Sept. 30, 1953 at the Ethel Barrymoore Theatre and ran for 712 performances.

---

Goofs

A pair of china dogs are back to back in a master shot (overall wide view). But when the camera moves in for close-ups, the dogs are face-to-face.

---

Quotes

Laura Reynolds: Years from now when you talk about this - and you will - be kind.

---

Connections

Referenced in That Girl: Paper Hats & Everything (1967)

---

Soundtracks

"The Joys of Love"
Written by G.B. Martini and Richard Dyer-Bennett
Performed by John Kerr (dubbed by Gene Merlino)
Song based on "Plaisir d'Amour"

User Reviews

a real 5-star feature

"Tea and Sympathy," along with "An American in Paris," turned me on to the true genius of Vincente Minnelli as a director. It deals with a serious topic -- how we all deal with diversity, and in this case, someone's sexuality -- by wrapping it in a poignant, spellbinding script, coupled with Oscar-worthy acting by Deborah Kerr and John Kerr. I didn't feel the issue was being forced on me -- I was truly being entertained. Three gripping scenes in particular stick out in my mind -- if you haven't seen the movie, I won't ruin it for you, but you'll know which ones I mean after you see it.

It is all the more impressive that this movie was made in restrictive, conservative 1956 America. It is a five star classic -- and I consider myself a pretty strict judge of movies. I have maybe seen only 6 or 7 movies in my short lifetime which I consider to be true 5-star quality -- that is, by my definition, a unique, groundbreaking, historic cinematic achievement which has withstood the test of time -- out of scores of possibilities. I have added "Tea and Sympathy" to that short list.