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Summer and Smoke

Play trailer Poster for Summer and Smoke 1961 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Uptight single woman Alma Winemiller (Geraldine Page) carries a torch for the boy next door, who has grown up into dashing doctor John Buchanan Jr. (Laurence Harvey). An unabashed hedonist, John falls for the sensual Rosa Zacharias (Rita Moreno) and enjoys carefree nights out on the town, an approach to life that starkly contrasts with Alma's reserved manner. While Alma attempts to come out of her shell, John also reconsiders his impulsive ways, leading to the possibility of romance.
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Summer and Smoke

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 10/29/2019
The English director Peter Glenville and the American actress Geraldine Page ought to make more movies together instead of concentrating on the stage. Go to Full Review Dwight MacDonald Esquire Magazine 07/31/2019
Even Geraldine Page can't do more than caricature a part that is already caricature. Laurence Harvey is possibly slightly more inadequate than usual. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/05/2011
B-
This screen version of Tennessee Williams's noted play is poorly directed (it' still theater), but it's well acted by Geraldine Page Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d 07/19/2020 The acting is strong but the adaptation is not. See more 06/23/2019 Rates as high as 3 stars simply because its Williams brilliant writing, for Page’s performance, and a great music score. Otherwise its another stagey, mediocre attempt to film Williams. The only really successful film versions of his plays have been Streetcar Named Desire and Rose Tattoo. Rita Moreno does her usual variation on Anita from West Side Story, and as it was also in ‘61, helped with her Oscar win. See more 02/17/2016 Like so many of the works of Williams, it deals with tension, with repression, with awakening, and, ultimately, with disintegration. If it weren't for Page's luminous performance, there would not be much to recommend the movie. See more 04/23/2015 another sanitized version of a Tennessee William's play. See more 04/15/2014 Most Williams conversions to the screen have been fabulous but this one is a let down. There are elements to the directing I think that don't allow for the story to flow as effectively as it could. See more 12/27/2013 Depending upon your point of view, this overwrought adaptation is so bad it is good. Or, you might think it just bad. However, I do not think anyone can find flaw with Geraldine Page's performance which remains pitch-perfect and real even when the dialog seems to be demanding she eat the scenery. Sadly, the other actors do not fare as well. I found the entire film entertaining from beginning to end. See more Read all reviews
Summer and Smoke

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Glenville

Director

Geraldine Page

Alma Winemiller

Laurence Harvey

John Buchanan, Jr.

Rita Moreno

Rosa Zacharias

Una Merkel

Mrs. Winemiller

John McIntire

Dr. Buchanan
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Summer and Smoke

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Movie Info

Synopsis Uptight single woman Alma Winemiller (Geraldine Page) carries a torch for the boy next door, who has grown up into dashing doctor John Buchanan Jr. (Laurence Harvey). An unabashed hedonist, John falls for the sensual Rosa Zacharias (Rita Moreno) and enjoys carefree nights out on the town, an approach to life that starkly contrasts with Alma's reserved manner. While Alma attempts to come out of her shell, John also reconsiders his impulsive ways, leading to the possibility of romance.
Director
Peter Glenville
Producer
Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter
James Poe, Meade Roberts, Tennessee Williams
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Hal Wallis Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 16, 1961, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Mono
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