Tea and Sympathy (1956)

Tom Lee is a sensitive boy of 17 whose lack of interest in the "manly" pursuits of sports, mountain climbing and girls labels him "sister-boy" at the college he is attending. Head master ... See full summary »

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Robert Anderson (screenplay), Robert Anderson (based on the play by)

Stars:

Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, Leif Erickson

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deborah Kerr	...	Laura Reynolds
John Kerr	...	Tom Robinson Lee
Leif Erickson	...	Bill Reynolds
Edward Andrews	...	Herb Lee
Darryl Hickman	...	Al
Norma Crane	...	Ellie Martin
Dean Jones	...	Ollie
Jacqueline deWit	...	Lilly Sears
Tom Laughlin	...	Ralph
Ralph Votrian	...	Steve
Steven Terrell	...	Phil
Kip King	...	Ted
Jimmy Hayes	...	Henry
Richard Tyler	...	Roger
Don Burnett	...	Vic

Storyline

Tom Lee is a sensitive boy of 17 whose lack of interest in the "manly" pursuits of sports, mountain climbing and girls labels him "sister-boy" at the college he is attending. Head master Bill Reynold's wife Laura sees Tom's suffering at the hands of his school mates (and her husband), and tries to help him find himself.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | based on play | homophobia | dance lesson | sister boy | 

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Taglines:

Where does a woman's sympathy leave off -- and her indiscretion begin?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1956 (France)

Also Known As:

Tea and Sympathy

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,737,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The school sequences were filmed on the same Metro studio set where varied other films: "The Cobweb," "Best Foot Forward," "Good News," etc., had been filmed.

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Goofs

While Tom Lee (Class of 1946) is still in school, Laura Reynolds drives a 1950 Dodge.

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Quotes

Tom Lee: Ever since then, I've been a sucker for girls in polo coats.
Laura Reynolds: I think I have one...
Tom Lee: Yes, I know.

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Connections

Referenced in La tarea (1991)

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Soundtracks

The Joys of Love
Written by G.B. Martini and Richard Dyer-Bennett
Performed by John Kerr (dubbed by Gene Merlino)
Song based on "Plaisir d'Amour"

User Reviews

Machismo and the Sister-Boy

The seventeen year-old Tom Robinson Lee (John Kerr) lives in a boarding house owned by the headmaster and coach Bill Reynolds (Leif Erickson) and his wife Laura Reynolds (Deborah Kerr). Tom is a sensitive teenager that was raised by his maid since his mother died when he was a child and his estranged father Herb Lee (Edward Andrews) was absent. He likes flowers, tennis, classical music, theater and other intellectual activities while his mates prefer sports and talk about women. One day, his roommate sees Tom with Laura and two women sewing on a button on a shirt on the beach and call him "sister-boy", turning his life upside-down.

"Tea and Sympathy" is a sensitive film based on a stage play. The twenty-five year-old John Kerr performs the role of a teenager questioned of his masculinity by his schoolmates, the headmaster of his school and his own father in a machismo society. Deborah Kerr is excellent as usual in the role of a woman that is neglected by his husband and understands the feelings of Tom Robinson Lee. The color is funny since Laura´s car changes color from green to blue. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Chá e Simpatia" ("Tea and Affection")