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 Chester
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.

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Plot Keywords:

chiropractor | infatuation | dysfunctional marriage | art student | alcoholics anonymous | 

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Taglines:

That girl in their house spelled trouble!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shirley Booth's movie debut.

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Goofs

About 1:34 into the film Lola takes Doc into the kitchen to fix him breakfast where a moving shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the door and door frame after she gets the can of juice from the icebox.

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Quotes

Lola Delaney: I'm too tired to wash my face tonight. Did you?
Doc Delaney: [about Marie] She must spend a fortune on bath powders and salts. That whole bathroom smells like a lilac garden.
Lola Delaney: I know. I like it.

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Connections

Referenced in Svengoolie: Mighty Joe Young (2020)

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Soundtracks

Stella by Starlight
(uncredited)

User Reviews

A touching and sesitive film dealing with the effects of alcohol on a marriage.

An acting triumph for both Shirley Booth and Burt Lancaster. This film will stay with you for a long time. Booth won a well deserved Oscar for this performance and it is well worth the time to view it. This is not a happy film obviously to look at but if you appreciate great acting as much as I do, you will really enjoy Come Back Little Sheba.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Come Back, Little Sheba

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