Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)

An emotionally remote recovering alcoholic and his dowdy, unambitious wife face a personal crisis when they take in an attractive lodger.

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Ketti Frings (screenplay), William Inge (original play)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Shirley Booth, Terry Moore

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Doc Delaney
Shirley Booth	...	Lola Delaney
Terry Moore	...	Marie Buckholder
Richard Jaeckel	...	Turk Fisher
Philip Ober	...	Ed Anderson
Edwin Max	...	Elmo Huston
Lisa Golm	...	Mrs. Coffman
Walter Kelley	...	Bruce Cunningham

Storyline

For two decades Doc and Lola Delaney avoided coming to terms with what Doc considered a "shot gun" marriage. Lola lost the baby and gives a lot of her affection to Sheba, a dog that disappeared a few months before the film opens. Doc blames Lola for having to drop out of medical school and not becoming a "real" doctor. Until joining AA a year ago, his escape was alcohol. Then college student Marie rents a room in their home. Doc feels passion for the first time in 20 years. But Marie has two suitors her age. Lola -- unaware of Doc's emotions --becomes as interested in Marie's future as if Marie were her daughter.

---

Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | chiropractor | infatuation | dysfunctional marriage | boarding house | 

---

Taglines:

That girl in their house spelled trouble!

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Cruz da Minha Vida

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Wallis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 96 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lola alternately calls her husband Hank, Doc, and, usually, Daddy.

---

Goofs

When Marie leaves with Turk in his car, the sidewalk and street are dry. Then a different car pulls up at the curb and the sidewalk and street are still dry. But, when "Dad" walks out to get into the car, the sidewalk and the street are wet.

---

Quotes

Doc Delaney: [to Lola as he's leaving for work] Give Daddy a kiss goodbye.
[he kisses his wife]
Marie Buckholder: [teasingly] Aren't you going to kiss me, too, Doctor Delaney?
Lola Delaney: Go on, Doc.
Doc Delaney: I can't spend my time kissing all the girls.

---

Connections

Referenced in Bottom Feeder (2007)

---

Soundtracks

Stella By Starlight

User Reviews

Fantastic performance by Shirley Booth

Shirley Booth's performance in this movie is one of the best I've seen.From the moment she appears as Lola Delaney you know almost everything you need to know about her character.It's quite rare that I get moved to tears by a performance,but Shirley Booth managed that feat. She conveys all the emotions of a simple woman who's life didn't turn out the way she dreamed and her realization that the springtime of her life has long gone.Burt Lancaster might have been a bit young for the part of Doc Delaney,but I think he's really good and powerful and frightening in the drunk-scene.Terry Moore was a charming acquaintance for me.Her performance was quite assured and natural. Although this movie is more like a filmed play, I enjoyed it a lot.