Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Young Philadelphians

Play trailer Poster for The Young Philadelphians 1959 2h 16m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Tony Lawrence (Paul Newman) inherited his late father's name but not his fortune. His single mother (Diane Brewster) pushes Tony towards upward mobility. He studies law and postpones marriage to his sweetheart, Joan (Barbara Rush), to further his career. The higher he climbs on the social ladder, the less ethical Tony grows, poaching a client (Billie Burke) and seducing his boss' wife (Alexis Smith). When called to defend an old friend (Robert Vaughn), Tony is caught in a moral dilemma.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Young Philadelphians

Critics Reviews

View More
A.H. Weiler New York Times 03/25/2006
2/5
The trials and tribulations of the rich, like those of the poor, can be undramatic. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 10/28/2019
The sudsy flavor of old-fashioned daytime serials is often prominent in this overlong high-society drama but the job is done with a lot of skill throughout. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 11/26/2008
B
Paul Newman gives a strong performance in Vincent Sherman's glossy melodrama about a young, cynical, ambitious man, born on the wrong side of the tracks but determined to change his lot. Go to Full Review TV Guide 06/17/2008
3/4
Based on a very popular novel, the film is a competent but undistinguished adaptation that breathes only through the presence of its dynamic star. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers 07/06/2006
3/5
Smart drama featuring Paul Newman in early role. Go to Full Review Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal 05/19/2006
3/5
Classy soapsuds with a cast that's better than the movie. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Horror fan 4 Nov 7 A wonderful drama filled with twists and a great cast. Tim Treakle See more Jeffrey L Sep 3 Brilliant underrated drama with many twists & turns See more David K 05/20/2023 This film starts out very much in the Hollywood soap opera/melodrama mode. But, with such a terrific cast led by Paul Newman and Mr. Napolean Solo himself, Robert Vaughan, in a great turn as a discarded heir who loses an arm in Korea. Adam West (Batman) plays in his first film role as the wealthy, impotent husband to the lovely Barbara Rush. And Richard Deacon (Dick Van Dyke's Mel Cooley) takes a decisive turn as a hostile witness, in the fabulous trial sequences which catapult the film in its' final third out of the melodrama mold. See more CodyZamboni 04/26/2023 Movie is essentially a soap opera, with terrific performances, smart dialogue, featuring a very suspenseful trial. See more steve d 07/20/2020 Strong performances and a great story. See more 05/03/2019 The best courtroom movie ever made! See more Read all reviews
The Young Philadelphians

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Vincent Sherman

Director

Paul Newman

Anthony Judson Lawrence

Barbara Rush

Joan Dickinson

Alexis Smith

Carol Wharton

Brian Keith

Mike Flanagan

Diane Brewster

Kate Judson Lawrence

More Like This

View All
Caged 50% 83% Caged Watchlist Ode to Billy Joe 44% 78% Ode to Billy Joe Watchlist This Boy's Life 76% 80% This Boy's Life Watchlist Suddenly, Last Summer 68% 83% Suddenly, Last Summer Watchlist The Children's Hour 78% 84% The Children's Hour Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

The Young Philadelphians

The Young Philadelphians (1959) The Young Philadelphians (1959) The Young Philadelphians (1959) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Tony Lawrence (Paul Newman) inherited his late father's name but not his fortune. His single mother (Diane Brewster) pushes Tony towards upward mobility. He studies law and postpones marriage to his sweetheart, Joan (Barbara Rush), to further his career. The higher he climbs on the social ladder, the less ethical Tony grows, poaching a client (Billie Burke) and seducing his boss' wife (Alexis Smith). When called to defend an old friend (Robert Vaughn), Tony is caught in a moral dilemma.
Director
Vincent Sherman
Screenwriter
James Gunn, Richard Powell
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 30, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2012
Runtime
2h 16m
Most Popular at Home Now