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 ...
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Title: Tea and Sympathy (1956)
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Edit
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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (194) »
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. Written by Ron Kerrigan <mvg@whidbey.com>
Plot Keywords:
coming of age | homophobia | based on play | dance lesson | sister boy |Taglines:
Where does a woman's sympathy leave off -- and her indiscretion begin?Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
5 November 1956 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Chá e Simpatia See more »Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USAEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,737,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
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
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See more »
Written by G.B. Martini and Richard Dyer-Bennett
Performed by John Kerr (dubbed by Gene Merlino)
Song based on "Plaisir d'Amour"
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In reality there was only a 10 year difference between Deborah and John Kerr. See more »Goofs
While Tom Lee (Class of 1946) is still in school, Laura Reynolds drives a 1950 Dodge. See more »Quotes
Laura Reynolds: Manliness is not all swagger and mountain climbing. It's also tenderness.See more »
Soundtracks
The Joys of LoveWritten by G.B. Martini and Richard Dyer-Bennett
Performed by John Kerr (dubbed by Gene Merlino)
Song based on "Plaisir d'Amour"
See more »
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Deborah Kerr has always been one of the best actresses. Her beauty and wit have always gotten her pretty well rounded roles. "Tea and Sympathy" has done something else for her...It has made her a real human that we can all identify with and understand. She captured your attention with her every second on the screen. John Kerr, as Tom Lee, (the main character) is simply in the backdrop, carrying the story along as best he can. Within him we see a ridiculed boy whose over-femininity makes him the joke of his school. Even the teachers seem to gang up on him. Known as "Sister-boy Lee" he tries to 'become' a man, only to let himself down further. He is soon pitied and taken in by Laura Reynolds, the school master's wife, who is told to "Stay out" because she's not really "involved". The truth is she is deeply involved...Her husband is the main reason for this kid's pain. I don't want to spoil the ending for you so I will say this...Vincente Minnelli is a brilliant director. Deborah Kerr is a wonderful actress who's inner beauty matches her physical beauty. John Kerr really shines. This movie is worth seeing. It does skirt the topic of homophobia but it tells the story that we (when we were teens) can all tell, trying to accept who we are and not trying to be what we aren't.