The Bramble Bush (1960)

A handsome and successful young doctor returns to his home town in New England to see his dying friend for one last time. However, his friend wants to die because he is suffering so much ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

Charles Mergendahl (novel), Milton Sperling,

Stars:

Richard Burton, Barbara Rush, Jack Carson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Burton	...	Dr. Guy Montford
Barbara Rush	...	Margaret 'Mar' McFie
Jack Carson	...	Bert Mosley
Angie Dickinson	...	Fran
James Dunn	...	Stew Schaeffer
Henry Jones	...	Parker Welk
Tom Drake	...	Larry McFie
Frank Conroy	...	Dr. Sol Kelsey
Carl Benton Reid	...	Sam McFie
Patricia Crest	...	Betsy
William Hansen	...	Father Bannon
Philip Coolidge	...	Colin Eustis
Russ Conway	...	Sheriff Larson Witt
Joan Potter	...	Ida Primmer
Bern Hoffman	...	Pico Salazar

Storyline

A handsome and successful young doctor returns to his home town in New England to see his dying friend for one last time. However, his friend wants to die because he is suffering so much from his illness, and he manages to convince the doctor to commit euthanasia (a mercy killing) on him. Haunted by what he has done, and troubled further still by other dark secrets from his past, the doctor seeks comfort in the arms of several of the town's lustful women. This leads to even more complications in his life...

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 1960 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

El zarzal

Company Credits

Production Co:

United States Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)

User Reviews

A film with a seriously complicated pot boiler plot and many twists, as I remember it.

I was 15 years old in 1960 when this flick was released (or escaped). I attended it on a blind date set up by my girlfriend, Carla. My date was a serious and proper young man who wore a suit and tie. Known for my teenage highjinks, I had assured my girlfriend that I would behave like a proper young lady. The complex tear jerking plot and multiple characters seemed to enchant the audience at the theatre on Hollywood Blvd. but kept me on the verge of laughter which I desperately attempted to stifle as the film went on...and on...and on. People were clutching handkerchiefs and sniffing back tears during the final courtroom scene when, at the sudden appearance of yet one more anguished character and one more unlikely plot twist, I gave in to a fit of teenage giggles. The scolding from my girlfriend, my date and offended members of the audience only increased my laughing fit which took on a life of its own, eventuating my removal by ushers who had to lift me out of my seat by the armpits and drag me screaming with laughter down the aisle into the lobby. Later, when I explained to my father why my girlfriend was no longer speaking to me and my date had ended early, he asked, "What was the movie?" He was a screenwriter and interested in such things. When I told him, he said, in a hushed, awed tone, "No wonder you laughed. That was the worst picture ever made." Instead of lecturing me about my improper social conduct, he commended me for having good taste in films.