The Young Philadelphians

Released May 30, 1959

2h 16m

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

81%

Audience Score

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.

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A.H. Weiler

New York Times

The trials and tribulations of the rich, like those of the poor, can be undramatic.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

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.

Oct 28, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

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.

Rated: B

Nov 26, 2008

Full Review

TV Guide

Based on a very popular novel, the film is a competent but undistinguished adaptation that breathes only through the presence of its dynamic star.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 17, 2008

Full Review

Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Smart drama featuring Paul Newman in early role.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 6, 2006

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Classy soapsuds with a cast that's better than the movie.

Rated: 3/5

May 19, 2006

Full Review

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David K

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/23

Full Review

CodyZamboni

Movie is essentially a soap opera, with terrific performances, smart dialogue, featuring a very suspenseful trial.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/23

Full Review

steve d

Strong performances and a great story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best courtroom movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

ashley h

The Young Philadelphians is an amazing film. It is about young lawyer Anthony Lawrence who faces several ethical and emotional dilemmas as he climbs the Philadelphia social ladder. Paul Newman and Babara Rush give fantastic performances. The screenplay is well written. Vincent Sherman did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. The Young Philadelphians is a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

s r

Melodramatic, yet interesting to see Philadelphia's social aspect back in the day. The courtroom scene was good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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

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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

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