We begin with a prologue. In 1924, poor lower-class Diane Brewster (as Kate Judson) marries wealthy upper-crust Adam West (as William "Bill" Lawrence). On their honeymoon, he says, "I can't love you, Kate, I can't love anyone!" Apparently, he can't have sex. She goes crying to working class Brian Keith (as Michael "Mike" Flanagan), who she previously rejected as too poor, and becomes impregnated by him, instead. Though Mr. Keith wants to marry widow Brewster, she wants her son to grow up with the advantages of the "Lawrence" name. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's the back-story...
Jumping to the present, we find Princeton class of 1947 student Paul Newman (as Anthony "Tony" Lawrence) working for Keith's construction company, while studying to become a lawyer. One of Mr. Newman's co-workers has fender-bender with beautiful Barbara Rush (as Joan Dickinson). Newman sides with Ms. Rush, probably because she is prettier than "big ape" Leonard Bremen, and they fall in love. However, Rush's upper-crust father John Williams (as Gilbert Dickinson) doesn't approve of lower-class Newman. Yes, this is a soap opera, revolving around the protagonist's climb to the top...
Watch for Newman's alcoholic roommate and best friend Robert Vaughn (as Chester "Chet" Gwynn) to steal the movie. Taking center stage for the film's last, and most engaging, story, Mr. Vaughn received "Best Supporting Actor" consideration for his performance. The delightful Billie Burke entertains as a millionaire avoiding taxes, attractive Alexis Smith offers Rush some competition, and Richard Deacon makes a strong impression as a booze-sniffing butler. This probably should have been titled "The Young Philadelphian" (singular) as it is mainly about the character played by Paul Newman.
******* The Young Philadelphians (5/21/59) Vincent Sherman ~ Paul Newman, Barbara Rush, Robert Vaughn, Richard Deacon
Jumping to the present, we find Princeton class of 1947 student Paul Newman (as Anthony "Tony" Lawrence) working for Keith's construction company, while studying to become a lawyer. One of Mr. Newman's co-workers has fender-bender with beautiful Barbara Rush (as Joan Dickinson). Newman sides with Ms. Rush, probably because she is prettier than "big ape" Leonard Bremen, and they fall in love. However, Rush's upper-crust father John Williams (as Gilbert Dickinson) doesn't approve of lower-class Newman. Yes, this is a soap opera, revolving around the protagonist's climb to the top...
Watch for Newman's alcoholic roommate and best friend Robert Vaughn (as Chester "Chet" Gwynn) to steal the movie. Taking center stage for the film's last, and most engaging, story, Mr. Vaughn received "Best Supporting Actor" consideration for his performance. The delightful Billie Burke entertains as a millionaire avoiding taxes, attractive Alexis Smith offers Rush some competition, and Richard Deacon makes a strong impression as a booze-sniffing butler. This probably should have been titled "The Young Philadelphian" (singular) as it is mainly about the character played by Paul Newman.
******* The Young Philadelphians (5/21/59) Vincent Sherman ~ Paul Newman, Barbara Rush, Robert Vaughn, Richard Deacon