A depressing Tennessee Williams' tale that is somehow still watchable --- in large part due to the excellent performance by Vivian Leigh. As a woman past her prime and feeling desperate for anyone, Leigh is stunning. This may not have been a stretch for Leigh since she was at the time passed her prime and at least desperate for a decent movie role. Her Mrs. Stone is sad, pathetic and lost. In other words, Blanche DuBois without the garish makeup and southern twang. The film's title may or may not be ironic...is it Mrs. Stone's spring? It's doubtful given the film's downbeat, ambiguous ending. Perhaps the Italian gigolo she gets involved with marks a new beginning for her? Jose Quintero's flat direction doesn't really dig too deep.
As the gigolo, Warren Beatty is awful. Affecting a very phony sounding Italian accent, he's almost campy. Lotte Lenya, as the contessa who pimps Beatty out is luckier...with her reptilian looks and creepy accent, she's decadence incarnate. Jill St. John is in it too, but doesn't contribute much beyond an unusually tall hairdo.
As the gigolo, Warren Beatty is awful. Affecting a very phony sounding Italian accent, he's almost campy. Lotte Lenya, as the contessa who pimps Beatty out is luckier...with her reptilian looks and creepy accent, she's decadence incarnate. Jill St. John is in it too, but doesn't contribute much beyond an unusually tall hairdo.