Blue Denim (1959)

Director:

Philip Dunne

Writers:

Philip Dunne (writer)
James Leo Herlihy (play)
(more)

Release Date:

30 October 1959 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

How could it happen to Janet...so shy, so young, and so much like yourself? Where did she go wrong... and why... WHY... WHY?

Plot:

Arthur Bartley and Janet Willard are fairly typical 1950s teenagers. Their lives are turned upside down however when Janet becomes pregnant...

Plot Keywords:

Abortionist | Abortion | Illegal Abortion | Brother Sister Relationship | Unplanned Pregnancy

Cast

Carol Lynley	...	Janet Willard
Brandon De Wilde	...	Arthur Bartley
Macdonald Carey	...	Maj. Malcolm Bartley, Ret.
Marsha Hunt	...	Jessie Bartley
Warren Berlinger	...	Ernie
Buck Class	...	Axel Sorenson
Nina Shipman	...	Lillian Bartley
Vaughn Taylor	...	Professor Willard
Roberta Shore	...	Cherie
Mary Young	...	Aunt Bidda
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Malcolm Atterbury	...	Marriage License Clerk (uncredited)
Gerrie Bender	...	Girl (uncredited)
Billie Bird	...	Woman (uncredited)
Joe Brooks	...	Caterer's Man (uncredited)
Sam Buffington	...	Doctor (uncredited)
Harry Carter	...	Bank Teller (uncredited)
Anthony J. Corso	...	Soda Jerk (uncredited)
Juney Ellis	...	Woman in Car (uncredited)
Jesslyn Fax	...	Aunt Margaret (uncredited)
Grace Field	...	Woman at Doctor's Office (uncredited)
Michael Gainey	...	Hobie (uncredited)
Sandra Gould	...	Girl with Orchid (uncredited)
Miranda Jones	...	Blonde Girl (uncredited)
Gregg Martell	...	Chief Petty Officer (uncredited)
Jenny Maxwell	...	Marion (uncredited)
Jimmy Murphy	...	Young Boy (uncredited)
Dion O'Hara	...	Young Girl (uncredited)
Hal Rand	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Michael Ross	...	Junk Man (uncredited)
William Schallert	...	George - Bank Vice President (uncredited)
Page Slattery	...	Blonde's Boyfriend (uncredited)

Directed by
Philip Dunne

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Philip Dunne		writer
James Leo Herlihy		play
William Noble		play
Edith R. Sommer		writer

Produced by
Charles Brackett	....	producer

Original Music by
Bernard Herrmann

Cinematography by
Leo Tover

Film Editing by
William Reynolds
George Leggewie		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Leland Fuller
Lyle R. Wheeler

Costume Design by
Adele Balkan

Sound Department
Charles Peck	....	sound

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ed Wynigear	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Carroll Coates	....	composer: song "Drive In Rock"
Lionel Newman	....	composer: song "Drive In Rock"

Production Companies

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Distributors

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1959) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Lee Remick, Diane Varsi and Hope Lange were all considered for the lead role of Janet.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Less Than Zero (1987)

Soundtrack:

Who, Baby?

See Dick. See Jane. See Dick and Jane...

Based upon a stage play, this drama about teen angst regarding sex and it's consequences comes close at times to resembling a situation comedy, but fortunately the performances of the cast bring out its feeling and drama as well. De Wilde is a tender teen who's just had his lifelong pal, his dog, put to sleep while he was at school. He seems adrift as his parents fuss over his older sister's pending nuptials. He tries to act tough around best friend Berlinger and soon finds himself captivated by lovely neighbor girl Lynley. Lynley has a meek, overly refined father who can't seem to get in touch with his young child. Eventually, De Wilde and Lynley take their relationship to the next level and a mystifying and unwanted pregnancy is the result. They agonize over what to do while the parents seem to exist on another plane, entirely. De Wilde was already a showbiz veteran at 17, having played hundreds of Broadway performances and starring in "Shane". He brings a lot of depth and feeling to his role. Lynley is also fine as the sensitive good girl who bites off more than she can chew. The best performance is that of Berlinger as both friend and conscience of De Wilde. He gives his role a jolt of energy and sincerity that really helps sell the film. As De Wilde's parents, Carey and Hunt give very good performances, balancing humor and concern. Unfortunately, due to the sometimes jokey nature of the script and the film's setting, this occasionally threatens to become "Dennis the Menace Knocks Up Margaret!" Some of the dialogue and situations are corny and cartoonish, robbing the film of a chance to be as realistic as it might have been. However, by the time the kids have learned their lesson, some authentic and touching emotions have come through. It must be noted that Lynley has perhaps the flattest, most oily-looking ponytail of the '50's. It's also hard to picture what De Wilde and Lynley's awkward first encounter must have been like as they both exude such charming innocence in the film. Bernard Herrmann's "Vertigo-on-the-Playground" score is pretty, but also a bit overwhelming for a story with this subject matter and these small town characters. It can be a little preachy and more than a little pat, but it's definitely worth watching and at 89 minutes, doesn't overstay its welcome.