All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960)

The minister of the town has died and his son Chad has no tears for him. Sarah, who now calls herself Salome, is pregnant with Chad's baby, but Chad has no future, no job and no money. ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Rosamond Marshall (novel), Robert Thom (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Susan Kohner

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Wagner	...	Chad Bixby
Natalie Wood	...	Sarah 'Salome' Davis
Susan Kohner	...	Catherine McDowall
George Hamilton	...	Tony McDowall
Pearl Bailey	...	Ruby
Jack Mullaney	...	Putney Tinker
Onslow Stevens	...	Joshua Davis
Anne Seymour	...	Mrs. Bixby
Virginia Gregg	...	Ada Davis
Mabel Albertson	...	Mrs. McDowall
Louise Beavers	...	Rose

Storyline

The minister of the town has died and his son Chad has no tears for him. Sarah, who now calls herself Salome, is pregnant with Chad's baby, but Chad has no future, no job and no money. Therefore, she leaves town on the train heading East. On the train she meets Tony who is heading back to Yale. Tony and his sister Catherine have one thing in common; they are both young, rich and bored with their lives. Salome goes to Yale with Tony and they are soon married, but she does not tell him about Chad or the pregnancy. Ruby takes Chad to New York where he plays trumpet and makes a name for himself. Catherine leaves school and moves in with Tony and Salome, creating tension between the young couple.

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Plot Keywords:

pregnancy | trumpet | haunted by the past | romantic rivalry | racial slur | 

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Taglines:

There are no rules...there is no limit...IN THE LOVE-HUNGRY WORLD OF THESE YOUNG SOPHISTICATES!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1960 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Früchte einer Leidenschaft

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avon Productions (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Redd Foxx's film debut.

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Quotes

Chad Bixby: Do you think I'm a fool?
Ruby Jones: I think most men are fools, white boy. And most women.

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Connections

Referenced in The IT Crowd: Moss and the German (2007)

User Reviews

Ahead of its time

What I love about this film, is the fact that it includes a respectful and loving relationship between a black woman and a white man during the apartheid era of racism here in the United States (before the "Freedom Rides," which occurred not long after).

I admire Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood (especially), as rising young stars in Hollywood, for taking the chance to be in this type of picture at that time in history.

When Susan Kohner's character calls Pearl Bailey a "nigger," Robert Wagner whacks her one but good! And then he educates Miss spoiled brat and much misinformed Kohner, that Pearl is more decent than any of the white people in this movie! And more deserving of love and respect.

And folks, was he right. Bailey's character and performance are the most worthwhile in the film.

Yes, the basic story between Natalie Wood (poor country girl looking to move up in the world by passing Wagner's baby off as rich boy Hamilton's), Robert Wagner (poor confused misunderstood boy with talent for "race" music, but seemingly not much ambition to do anything with it), George Hamilton and Susan Kohner (spoiled RICH siblings taken in by Wood and Wagner -- but both hopelessly in love with the two)is schlock.

But the story between Wagner and Pearl Bailey (suicidal famous singer mourning the loss of her lover, who becomes charmed with Wagner and does her best to help him before she purposely succumbs to alcoholism) saves the day.

Also, Natalie Wood is simply outrageously gorgeous in this picture. And Robert Wagner and Hamilton are pretty easy on the yes as well. So, when the story gets to be too much, just enjoy the view!

I wish that Wood and Wagner had more screen time together in this film (and that they ended up together), but that's because I love RJ and Nat together as a couple under any circumstances (and believe me one has to love them unconditionally -- as their story lines and acting and accents don't feature either near the top of their talents).

Still, a brave story to undertake. Its bad/good and very interesting. I recommend it for having the guts to be ahead of its time.

Nancy J Ordinaryfool