Film Rec for Pride Month
If anyone is looking for a nice melodrama may I interest them in Tea and Sympathy (1956) which stars the ever lovely Deborah Kerr? Based on a play, the film does sadly suffer a bit from being produced during the Hayes Code period, tacking on an ending to ‘punish’ the act of adultery, but the overall product is amazingly bittersweet. Deborah Kerr herself was even quoted as saying (about the screenplay): “[...] contains all the best elements of the play. After all, the play was about the persecution of a minority, wasn't it? That still remains the theme of the film." (Shamelessly taken from the wiki article on the film).
One of the main themes of the film is around toxic masculinity and the torment one who doesn’t ‘fit in’ receives for being different. There’s also some subtle (and not so subtle) references to homosexuality linked to that (as much as they could get past the censors at least). Really it’s just an overall lovely film that deals with the subject matter surprisingly well and Deborah Kerr is just phenomenal as the kind/understanding dorm mistress that thinks Tom (the boy that doesn’t fit the mould) is just perfect the way he is.
If nothing else, watch it for Deborah Kerr and let her soothing voice cradle you close. It’s also a rather enjoyable Vincente Minnelli picture, most of his I’ve seen have all been very charming (Meet Me in St. Louis, Bells are Ringing, The Clock).
Know this ain’t my usual shtick, but if I can get some people (even just 1!) to enjoy some nice classic movies I’ll consider that a win! One of my biggest passions that I can talk endlessly about if given the chance is movies (especially the old ones).
