The Restless Years (1958)

Will Henderson is the new boy at the high school. He befriends outcast Melinda Grant, whose illegitimacy marks her and her unstable mother. As their friendship turns to love, gossip and ... See full summary »

Director:

Helmut Käutner

Writers:

Edward Anhalt (screenplay), Patricia Joudry (play)

Stars:

John Saxon, Sandra Dee, Teresa Wright

Cast

Cast overview:
John Saxon	...	Will Henderson
Sandra Dee	...	Melinda Grant
Teresa Wright	...	Elizabeth Grant
James Whitmore	...	Ed Henderson
Luana Patten	...	Polly Fisher
Margaret Lindsay	...	Dorothy Henderson
Virginia Grey	...	Miss Robeson
Jody McCrea	...	Bruce Mitchell
Alan Baxter	...	Alex Fisher
Hayden Rorke	...	Mr. Booth
Dorothy Green	...	Laura Fisher

Storyline

Will Henderson is the new boy at the high school. He befriends outcast Melinda Grant, whose illegitimacy marks her and her unstable mother. As their friendship turns to love, gossip and lies threaten their relationship in this small town drama.

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Plot Keywords:

illegitimacy | small town | dysfunctional family | fight | teen | 

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Taglines:

The story of a town with a dirty mind!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Teach Me How to Cry

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Peyton Place meets Carrie

John Saxon and Sandra Dee in all their 1958 youthful splendor explore teen sexuality and angst in Libertyville, USA.

Teresa Wright plays Dee's downtrodden, seamstress Mother living life as the town's neurotic spinster recluse, having once regrettably abandoned herself to a traveling trumpet player under the town's infamous bandstand, having later given birth to Dee as a result of her shameful tryst.

Hot Rods, hoop skirts, and gymnasium rock and roll abound, replete with alcoholic parents from both sides of the tracks fully represented. Luana Patten is wonderful as the snotty, slutty rich girl so accustomed to getting whatever she wants.

It's as cornball and cliche' as you can get, but good fun for a nostalgic look at small town Americana in the late 50's. You've seen Saxon and Dee much better than this, but it's remains a guilty pleasure to relish, particularly with Ross Hunter at the helm dishing up plenty of his particular style of small town pathos to keep you amused.

Look for Saxon's Pop (James Whitmore) near the end, driving off with the lovely Mrs. with a smile and a beer in his hand! Somehow, Toto, you know this kinda behavior tells us we're not in Kansas anymore.