Summer and Smoke (1961) User Reviews

Tennessee Williams again brought to the screen

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 17 January 2008]

"Summer and Smoke" is another Tennessee Williams southern drama that, after debuting as a play, was made into a film and later an opera. Set earlier in the 20th Century, it's the story of repressed passion, unrequited love and desperation. Geraldine Page stars as Alma Winemiller, the uptight daughter of a minister. She teaches voice, sings a little, and lives with her father and an insane mother (Una Merkel). Alma, since childhood, has been in love with the young doctor next door, John Buchanan (Laurence Harvey), the son of a doctor and a playboy. Buchanan has recently returned to town and is still a reckless playboy. Now he's involved with Rosa Zacharias (Rita Moreno), a girl from the wrong class and the wrong side of town. On the evening that something could have happened between Alma and John, she runs from him. One night, while a wild party is going on at the Buchanan house, Alma goes next door and learns that Rosa and John are going to be married. Upset, she calls John's father (John MacIntyre) at the hospital and urges him to return home. The result is tragedy.

This is a very powerful and poignant story of two people, one interested in earthly pleasures and one focused on the soul and spirit. Neither one is entirely right or wrong, but it creates a chasm between them. When each realizes what the other has been saying, it's too late for them.

Geraldine Page, who played this role to great acclaim on stage, brings her magnificent portrayal to the screen. The role was based on Williams' sister, who eventually went insane. If physically Page is a little less delicate looking than one imagines Tennessee Williams' female characters, her portrayal contains all of the fragility of the role. The final scene between Alma and a salesman, played by Earl Holliman shows the shocking contrast between Alma in the beginning and at the end of the film. Geraldine Page gave us all too few gems on films, as she concentrated on the stage. We have to savor what we have.

Laurence Harvey is very handsome and desirable, but probably a little too refined for the role of John. The role needs someone whose sexuality is less ethereal and more earthbound. Una Merkel is excellent as Alma's mother, a truly disturbed and frightening woman.

Very good film based on a Williams play, worth seeing for the wonderful Geraldine Page and its thought-provoking story.

Tennessee Williams' somber Victorian study of buried passion and unrequited love set in provincial Mississippi, accentuated by Geraldine Page's luminous star turn.

[gbrumburgh · 8/10 · 29 March 2001]

What novelist Zane Grey was to the wild, wild West, playwright Tennessee Williams was to Deep South gentility. His florid, full-throttled female leads have always been the most sought after, while his deeply personal works not only made celebrated stage stars out of Jessica Tandy, Barbara Bel Geddes, Elizabeth Ashley, and Jessica Lange, but created film legends out of Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor. Fortunate in having a large number of his prize-winners transferred successfully to film, Williams seldom failed to pique interest with his old-fashioned reveries of sexual longing or depravity. 1961's "Summer and Smoke", set in small-town Mississippi in 1916, is a refulgent exercise in the former.

The original Broadway version opened a year after the resounding success of Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1948), and though it doesn't match "Streetcar" in brilliance (what does???), it has a luminosity all its own, with Geraldine Page, arguably the finest American theater actress of her time, providing most of the wattage. Page is one of the more fortunate stage stars to have had the honor of recreating a Williams' heroine for the screen. She did so again a couple years later with the equally potent "Sweet Bird of Youth."

Ms. Page portrays prim, genteel Alma Winemiller ("Miss Alma"), a minister's daughter chided as a youth by her school mates for being such. Far removed from experiencing life's libidinous pleasures, the grown up Alma has consigned herself to living a respectable, straight-laced, unbearably lonely existence as one of the town's more prideful, eccentric symbols of religious piety. Still living at home, her drab life consists of teaching voice lessons and leading bible studies with matronly ladies twice her age. Adding to the drudgery is the obligation of caring for her elderly parents, especially her emotionally erratic mother who delights in taunting Alma with cruel remarks while humiliating her in front of town folk with random acts of shoplifting. The malcontent but dutiful Alma bravely bears up under the weight, living a spinster's life way before her time.

Enter Laurence Harvey's John Buchanan, an exceptionally handsome, hard-living playboy who lives on life's edge. A next-door neighbor to Alma, whose first passionate schoolyard crush was Buchanan, the prodigal son has been sent back home to straighten out his reckless ways. But life's sinful pleasures prove far too tempting and soon he is back to his old habits of cathouse carousing and cockfighting matches. Buchanan's return rekindles Alma's youthful stirrings, for underneath the thick, confining layers of corsets and bustles still lies a heart teeming with unbridled desire.

As she reinserts herself slightly into Buchanan's life under the religious guise of soul-saving, the effort leads to a brief, life-altering romantic interlude for Miss Alma. To witness the bipolar directions the two end up taking is the essence and fascination of Williams' elegiac piece.

Geraldine Page (Oscar-nominated) is spellbinding as Alma, showing brilliant range and delicate power as the fading wallflower who suddenly over-blooms. Laurence Harvey gives a remote, synthetic performance as the roving Lothario which, I suppose, is consistent with the character, yet his rakish good looks and polished charm cannot be denied.

As Alma's maddening mother who reverts to childlike behavior, Una Merkel stands out among the supporting cast with a brittle, flavorful Oscar-nominated performance. Malcolm Atterbury appropriately shows unflinching, old-town values as her stiff, aloof minister of a father. Beautiful Pamela Tiffin, in her early career, plays Alma's young songbird student and object of attraction for Harvey with youthful vibrance. And having just won an Oscar for "West Side Story," Rita Moreno unfortunately returns true to form in one of her many spitfire stereotypes as Harvey's jealous, round-heeled paramour. John McIntire is all gruff and grimace as Harvey's deprecating old man, while young energetic Earl Holliman has a poignant, show-stopping scene with Page in the final reel as a traveling salesman.

Leisurely paced with fine, frilly attention to period detail and atmosphere, the film earned Oscar-nominations for its art direction and lovely, lyrical Elmer Bernstein score.

Required viewing for Tennessee Williams fans and a must for those who love to lose themselves in costumed romantic drama.

An average film borough to life by solid performances

[sdave7596 · 7/10 · 16 December 2008]

Geraldine Page had her first true starring role in "Summer and Smoke" released in 1961. Yes, she had been a theatrical star and did television work, and did fine in 1953's "Hondo" opposite John Wayne. But here, Page brings the repressed Tennessee Williams character of Alma to glorious life. The story, set in the 1920's, deals with the Southern small town stifling morals of the day. Page is a preacher's daughter, making her even more repressed; her father is played by actor Malcom Atterbury with all the proper moral condemnation. Her mother, played by old Hollywood star Una Merkel, is mentally unbalanced, adding to the responsibility Alma feels, as she lives at home with both of them. Alma is at an age that would have been considered a "spinster" of the times. Enter the young handsome doctor John (Laurence Harvey), whom Alma has known since childhood, since he lives next door with his cantankerous doctor father (John McIntyre). Alma desires John, but her own sexual inhibitions will now allow her to explore that, so she secretly lusts after him. John is a fellow who focuses on the physical, and takes up with a woman who would have been considered quite loose at the time (Rita Moreno in an early performance). John knows Alma desires him, and he is not sure how to handle it. He tries to take the relationship further, but Alma resists his sexual advances. Neither of these individuals is wrong for how they feel - and they seem to go through the whole movie not connecting. This is probably the finest work Laurence Harvey did on screen - his smoldering sexuality is used here to great effect. He and Page have palpable chemistry. The supporting players are capable as well, but this is Geraldine Page's show, and her genteel demeanor and southern accent are spot on. We are left pondering Alma - she is both tragic and wonderful.

Glenville Magic

[charles-pope · 16 August 2004]

This is one of the most underrated Films from a T. Williams source. Its star , sadly is Laurence Harvey and even more underrated actor.

Many folks had such huge hopes for a long career for Mr Harvey when it was cut so short we often ponder " what would have been" This film gives us some wonderful insight as to the heights that could have been.

Harvey plays Dr. Buchannon on a multitude of levels of emotional detachment..and is superb. Fitzgerald delivers in her role as the tortured Alma and stalwarts, John MCintyre and Rita Moreno supply the sparks.

Lost in all of this is a fine performance by the large version of Thomas Gomez..who proves again his versatility. I love the irony of the ending with the appearance of Earl Holliman as ' Archie" Good Drama is never dated and Peter Glenville (dir) makes it all happen..also ..one wouldn't be surprised to note that Hal Wallis is the producer..one of the all time best that Hollywood has ever had.

C Pope

Nothing Like A Little Responsibility

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 11 December 2011]

As compared to other Tennessee Williams works like The Glass Menagerie and Streetcar Named Desire, Summer And Smoke is distinctly second rate. But second rate Tennessee Williams is better than a lot of first rate work from most and a really good cast puts this one over.

A cast dominated by Geraldine Page who plays a woman who is carrying a Statue of Liberty torch since childhood for the kid next door who grew up to be Lawrence Harvey. At first glance these two seemed ideally suited for each other, her the daughter of minister Malcolm Atterbury, him the son of town doctor John McIntire. But both have some issues, her's the kind that Tennessee Williams is known for being frank about in his work, him an inability to settle down. As the film opens Harvey has returned to their southern town after medical school a newly minted doctor. But he's got enough seeds for a field of wild oats and he just wants to have a good old time. Page won't give him that.

But when you've got a raging libido like Harvey has, the only kind of girl you want to quench it is Rita Moreno. 1961 was Rita's year to be naughty, she won her Oscar playing gang girl Anita in West Side Story. Had that film not been out, more attention might have been paid to what she did in Summer And Smoke.

As Page is frigid and won't give up a little to land Harvey she resorts to a bit of trickery to break up Harvey and Moreno which ends in tragedy for one of the cast. Ironically both Harvey and Page modify their behaviors, but there's too much that now makes them incompatible. In fact Page at the end is showing hints of becoming a lot like Tennessee Williams's other great character Blanche Dubois.

Four Oscar nominations went out to Paramount for Summer And Smoke, Best Actress for Geraldine Page, Best Supporting Actress for Una Merkel, Best Art&Set Decoration and Best Musical Score. Sadly it did not bring home a statue and poor Una Merkel her portrayal of Page's kleptomaniac mother lost to Rita Moreno for West Side Story.

Summer And Smoke is a base hit for Tennessee Williams, but not a home run. Still devotees of the man and others should enjoy this film.

Schleppy Tennessee

[Schmoozette · 7/10 · 12 June 2021]

Unfortunately, unlike gems like "Streetcar Named Desire," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Suddenly Last Summer," and "Sweet Bird of Youth," "Summer and Smoke" doesn't have their intensity of character and situational conflicts.

I love the actors, but Laurence Harvey, so great in movies like "The Manchurian Candidate," lacks the cocky heat, swagger, and desperation of Paul Newman. On the other hand, Una Merkel all too briefly steals the show as the mentally troubled mother--her performance is sly from within and totally believable.

Geraldine Page is always a treasure, but here she's slogged down a bit by an all-too-literal and preachy script and sluggish direction. Yes, it's Williams' play, but the script could have been better altered for a screenplay, and all the scenes, even the most intense, lacked a spark and sense of danger. Rita Moreno was simply gorgeous and effective in a pretty thankless role; her talent was more than evident.

The ending is very effective, and while I won't give it away, I'll just say that it made me wonder if Alma Winemiller was on her way to becoming another incarnation of Blanche DuBois. But I'll leave that for others to ponder.

Seven stars for being, well, Tennessee Williams and Geraldine Page and Una Merkel and another tale of family dysfunction, mores, and hypocrisy. But I had to shave off some due to its unfortunate sluggishness, unnecessary length, and over-talky, over-preachy and explanatory script.

A haunting treatment of a Tennessee Williams drama, fraught with repressed, deeply felt emotion. Geraldine Page gives a riveting, heartbreaking performance.

[Rogue-18 · 10/10 · 15 August 1999]

Set in a small, insular town in the deep South, this is a gripping drama of miscommunication and repressed passion. Geraldine Page's powerful performance becomes progressively more harrowing as her character, the spinsterish Miss Alma, struggles to forge a connection with the man she has always loved--the handsome, dissolute son of the town's respected doctor (Laurence Harvey, perfectly cast). In the process, lives are forever changed--in ways none of those involved could have predicted. Page is simply incredible in this movie, delivering a climactic soliloquy that will leave you emotionally shell-shocked.

Smoldering emotions

[tomsview · 7/10 · 26 January 2015]

I wanted to see this film after reading reviews of "Splendor in the Grass", which claimed that the basic idea for that movie was borrowed by William Inge from Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke". I love "Splendor," and wanted to see if the 'Bard of the Midwest' could possibly have copied from his friend's homework.

I think nearly all the films made from Tennessee Williams' plays reveal their stage origins, but none more so than "Summer and Smoke". Sometimes that theatricality works in a film's favour as it does in "A Streetcar Named Desire", but here, it put me off at first. Nonetheless, there are many things I do like about the film.

Set in a small town in Mississippi in the early 1900's, the story centres around Alma Winemiller (Geraldine Page), the daughter of a minister. She is in love with the boy next door, John Buchanan (Laurence Harvey), the son of the local doctor. Repressed emotionally, she believes that personal dignity is the most important thing of all; he on the other hand is adventurous and wild. While she stays at home nursing her mentally ill mother, he goes out into the world experiencing life to the full.

John returns and has affairs with other women, including Rita Marino's Rosa Zacharias in a couple of over-the-top sequences. Alma is crushed, but although both eventually come around to the other's way of thinking, in the end they are just as apart as they were in the beginning.

Although Inge probably saw "Summer and Smoke" when it opened on Broadway in the late 40's, any influence was slight to say the least. As far as the two movies are concerned, "Splendor" is the more accessible work while "Smoke" struggles to overcome its stage roots.

"Summer and Smoke" does picks up the pace along the way, and the two leads are good together. Geraldine Page is an unusually arresting actress, and repeats her role from the stage. She has some tough speeches to deliver, but the vulnerability of her character is painful to watch.

I've always found Laurence Harvey a terrific screen presence, but a number of his peers from British cinema and theatre would disagree - some even thought him a bad actor. Maybe they got his roles on-screen mixed up with his life off-screen. However, there could also have been sour grapes involved; he was very good-looking, had a great voice and the camera loved him; he gives a confident performance in this film.

I knew Elmer Bernstein's score long before I saw the movie. It is a beautiful and nostalgic work with a heart-wrenching main theme. The music gives a haunting sense of loss to the film, offsetting the static sets and overlit photography. It shows the power of music to enhance a film.

"Summer and Smoke" presents some challenging ideas. It's not the best translation of Tennessee Williams to the screen, but more than one scene stays in the memory.

Long live Williams! Long live Page!

[dmwhite50 · 10/10 · 5 April 2001]

SUMMER AND SMOKE has long been one of my favorite films, as I love Tennessee Williams, and loved Geraldine Page after seeing her in this brilliant, Oscar-nominated performance.Page captures all the poignancy and need of longing and loneliness, and Williams spells it out in lyricism. Page's monologue near the end will tear your heart out, and the final fade-out will give you chills. Tennessee Wlliams is as much of a poet as he is a dramatist, and the screenplay captures some of his best bon mots. For example,in a conversation between John Buchanan and Alma in the movie, John (Laurence Harvey) describes her heart as "that little red fist that keeps knocking, knocking at the big, black door." Or, Alma's mad, kleptomaniac mother (Una Merkel)can't put a jigsaw puzzle together, and , in a panic, cries, "The pieces don't fit! The pieces don't fit!" Also made in 1961 was another Williams work, THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS STONE, starring Vivien Leigh which I recommend highly.I certainly wish SUMMER AND SMOKE would be released on DVD!

Smoke & Mirrors

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 10 June 2008]

(Some Spoilers) Having carried a torch for John "Johnny Boy" Buchanan, Laurence Harvey, since childhood Alma Winemiller, Geraldina Page, had almost forgotten about him until he unexpectedly showed up, in his jalopy, at a Forth of July fireworks display at his and Alma's home town of Glorious Hill Mississippi.

Johnny had been away for years studying medicine in order to fill his old man's Dr. Buchanan, John McIntire, shoes as the towns doctor. It doesn't take long to figure out what Johnny really is in his both arrogant and condescending display of hubris towards both Alma and his dad. Having hit every whore house gambling den and ginmill from Virginia to Mississippi Johnny got back home ten days late outraging his dad who refused to let him stay at his house.

Spending the evening at the notorious Moon Lake Casino Johnny got right back into action gambling drinking and striking up a hot and heavy relationship with the joints owner Papa Zacharias', Thomas Gomez, hot to trot and hot blooded daughter Rosita, Rita Marino. Johnny in a effort to put the hurt on Alma, the town preacher's daughter, who's alway pestering and annoying him about the goodness of the soul lets it out that he plans to wed the fiery and anything goes Rosita.

Angry and deeply hurt Alma gets in touch with Dr. Buchanan at his clinic about Johnny's wild and uncontrollable lifestyle that in the end might well end up killing him. Rushing home to bang some sense, and morality, into his son's head Dr. Buchanan finds the placed a total wreck. With dead drunk party goers, including Johnny Boy, and empty whiskey bottles littering the place Dr. Buchanan spots Papa Zacharias plopped down on his, Dr.Buchanan, favorite easy chair and completely loses it.

Before Johnny, who's upstairs smashed on booze, could stop it Old Man Buchanan starts to beat the barley sober Papa Zacharias who in self defense pulls out a gun and blasts him away. Johnny seeing what a mess he made and not even being forgiven by his dad, on his death bed, turns over a new leaf and goes straight. Straight to his now deceased old man's clinic finishing the work, in saving the townspeople from a deadly epidemic, that Dr. Buchanan started.

Alma who wanted to straighten Johnny out, in him seeing the light, during the entire movie succeeded beyond her wildest dreams! Johnny became so spiritual that he, in respecting Alma's wishes, refused to have anything psychical, or sexual, to do with poor Alma! Treating her as if she were an unapproachable and untouchable Goddess instead of a real live and wanting to be sexually fulfilled woman!

Johnny throwing away his wild life of womanizing and drinking ends up marrying young, who's 19 years old compared to Alma's 35, Nellie Wells,Pamela Tiffin, who was once a student in Alma's Bible Sunday-school & singing class.

Alma now left out in the cold losing the only man that she was ever in love with ends up doing what she tried to, successfully, save Johhny from doing. Alma gives into the sinful lifestyle that Johnny, with her help, just threw away! Discarding her strong religious upbringing Alma ends up going to the Moon Lake Casino with Archie, Earl Holliman, a lonely traveling salesman, whom she picked up in town, to have a wild crazy and wonderful time with!

Beautifully photographed, in lushes color, the movie "Summer and Smoke" greatly benefited from the wonderful acting of Geraldine Page as the spinster religious and ultra sensitive daughter of the towns preacher Reverand Winemiller, Malcolm Attenburg.

We also can't leave out the great acting contribution in the film by British actor Laureance Harvey. The very British, as well as Lithuanian/Jewish, Mr. Harvey seemed to have made a name for himself in playing Southerners as well as lovable heels all throughout his great but unfortunately short, Harvey died in 1973 from stomach cancer at age 46, movie and stage career.

Awful Williams Adaptation

[timmy_501 · 4/10 · 9 March 2008]

This is based on one of Tennessee Williams lesser known plays. Apparently, the film is a pretty close adaptation of the play. Based on the film, I can see why this is lesser known than works like A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan of those plays, but they are miles above Summer and Smoke.

First of all, I couldn't help but feel that the two main characters were absolutely as stupid and annoying as the leads in any film I've ever seen. The character development is bad-the sudden changes in their attitudes are wholly unbelievable. Everything about the film is extremely obvious-about as subtle as a kick in the face. The whole thing reeks of senseless cynicism. Worst of all, there is enough melodrama in this one film to fill a whole day's worth of programming on the Lifetime Channel.

Given what they had to work with, the performances in the film aren't that bad, I guess.

"This Is Moon Lake, Alma, Where Anything Goes..."

[davidcarniglia · 9/10 · 13 March 2019]

Outstanding adaptation of a Tennessee Williams drama. Both Geraldine Page and Laurence Harvey give nuanced performances as the star-crossed Alma and Johnny. Though long, the pacing rarely lets the movie slow down; the plot is relatively simple, but works out in a meandering way. It's true that, as some say, the atmosphere 'glistens.' We're decidedly in 1916; a thoroughly-washed 1916, but not without its stubborn, seamy spots. Strangely for a romance, most of the memorable scenes are at night.

Alma and Johnny are complete opposites. She's withdrawn, aloof, hanging on to what appears to be a destiny of spinsterhood. He's worldly and more or less a playboy. Johnny can't control his emotions; Alma seems not to have any. The only thing they have in common is distant, Puritanical fathers. The main distraction is Johnny's obsession for Rosa (Rita Moreno). Although she basically satisfies his libido, he never really can love her; he figures she's essentially a gold-digger. But it takes a lot of gambling, boozing, cockfighting, and a 'Roman orgy' (as Alma's father puts it) for Johnny to figure this out.

Despite the fact that Alma prudishly 'tells' on him so that Johnny's dad comes upon the 'orgy'/party, which ends up in his dad's deadly fight, Johnny benefits in the long run. He's disgusted by Rosa, and, deeply affected by his father's death, he literally as well as emotionally sobers up. He hasn't so much switched personalities with Alma, as "settled", as he puts it. His engagement to Nellie, younger but sincere and lively, shows how convention suits him after all; Nellie is, nonetheless, the complete counterpoint to Alma. Incongruously, Alma takes a walk on the wild side, going off to the casino--den of iniquity that it is--with a traveling salesman. She abandons the safe spot the park represents.

The park, and particularly the statue, are central images. The statue represents permanence--Eternity is an apt name for it. Also, it's not merely a statue, it's an angel; even symbolically it's other-worldly. Nonetheless, it's also a spring. Like Alma, it's artificial, but has a life-affirming power (water, in the statue's case). In the remarkable first scene, in effect a flashback to Alma's and Johnny's childhood, she's already stuck there; standing apart from the other kids, not participating in the festive Halloween. Even as a kid, Johnny's fascinated by her. It's surprising that she's even noticed, as she has a way of blending in to her surroundings. This is notable in all of her scenes at the statue, and also in Johnny's office, when she does her best to throw herself at him, only to discover that it's too late. She'll likely end up like her mom: fragile, and mentally-impaired. Alma's apparent drug addiction seems to point toward instability as well. It's frightening that her dad seems to sheath himself in self-righteousness, but is at the center of a completely dysfunction family.

Everything's of a piece here. Some reviewers think that Laurence Harvey is too slick as Johnny--he seems just about right to me, especially since he can be believable both as a playboy and as a serious, mature doctor. The only oddity is his slicked-back hair (that only works in the era that the film was made). The sets are beautiful; they did a lot with bandstands, gazebos, trees, and lanterns--not to mention the statue. This is one film that had to be in color. Both the look and the feel of Summer And Smoke is haunting and nostalgic. Highly recommended. 9/10

The tables get turned...with a vengeance

[JasparLamarCrabb · 7/10 · 28 May 2013]

A tale of pent up lust like no other. Geraldine Page is a spinster whose idea of moral decay is holding hands with a man (while NOT wearing her gloves). She's hopelessly in love with local doctor/bad boy Laurence Harvey. Through an outrageous series of events she drives him away while saving his soul! This Tennessee Williams play has a fiery script by James Poe & Meade Roberts and a brilliant performance by Page. Harvey is as stiff as he is in nearly all of his films. There's little chemistry between the two stars and while that's a detriment, it doesn't derail the film. Peter Glenville, an expert director who only made seven films, recreates 1916 Americana nicely. Elmer Bernstein wrote the score. The supporting cast, including Pamela Tiffin, Rita Moreno, John McIntire (as Harvey's saintly father) and Thomas Gomez is excellent. Lee Patrick has a great cameo as the town hussy and Una Merkel is a standout as Page's demented mother.

It doesn't convince for a moment, yet it sure is pretty to look at...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 13 January 2008]

Geraldine Page received an Oscar nomination for her sterling portrayal of a small town spinster hoping to kindle a spark with the ne'er-do-well doctor's son who has lived next door since they were kids. Adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play (in which Page scored a personal success off-Broadway some nine years before the film) is brightly-painted and full of nervous, fluttery life (it's like a neurotic Disney movie--Pollyanna herself might just live down the street). It never takes off into its own emotional sphere however, mainly because the melodrama inherent in the story is so wan (it isn't encumbered by character neuroses, like many of Williams' other works--this one could actually use more). Laurence Harvey is somewhat mild-mannered as Page's leading man (one can't imagine this guy getting too wild), and the supporting players are a variable lot, ranging from Una Merkel's dotty mother to Rita Moreno's strutting flooze. Page is the one to watch; with the tiniest sparkle of dementia in her alert eyes, and the quiver of her uncertain mouth, she nearly transforms this material, an amalgamation of Tennessee Williams and Hollywood in 1961. ** from ****

An unforgettable performance!

[gregcouture · 26 May 2003]

When this was released I quickly made my way to the Fox West Coast Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, California during its first-run engagement. Advance reviews were quite positive but I was unprepared for the power and yet the delicacy of Geraldine Page's performance as Alma Winemiller. Although I was never a fan of Laurence Harvey, who was cast in so many top films of that era, he joined his fellow players in affording Miss Page some very solid support. Una Merkel and John McIntire were especially worthy of praise, Earl Holliman acquits himself manfully in a brief role in the chilling final sequence, and Pamela Tiffin was touchingly beautiful as a heedless young thing. However, Rita Moreno, who has since complained about all those "spitfire" roles with which she was saddled during her earlier Hollywood days, probably counts this appearance as one of those she'd prefer we forget. (But, parenthetically, she has more than reason to be grateful for a list of credits that had already included the lovely Tuptim in the mega-box office hit, "The King and I," an Academy Award for her supporting role in "West Side Story," resulting in a career that continues to this day, outlasting many of the top stars who had led the casts of her earliest film assignments.)

Peter Glenville's direction (whose filmography is notably sparse) marshalls his actors and the top-notch production values with aplomb, aided by one of Elmer Bernstein's best scores. The VHS version does not appear to be letterboxed, thus losing cinematographer Charles Lang, Jr.'s elegant Panavision framing, which was one of this film's handsomer attributes.

Movie works up to a certain point

[jordondave-28085 · 6/10 · 28 April 2023]

(1961) Summer And Smoke DRAMA

Based on a play written by Tennessee Williams, which is somewhat similar to his other play "A Streetcar Named Desire", except that there's kind of a love story involved. Picture this, imagine Blanche DuBois played by Vivien Leigh attempting to change a person who acts like Stanley, played by Marlon Brando. The entire story is pastor's daughter, Alma Winemiller (Geraldine Page) has always been in love with the doctor's son, John Buchanan, Jr (Laurence Harvey) ever since they were kids. Except that John can't avoid his reckless behavior and leave his rebellious ways. I liked this movie up to a specific point, as soon as viewers weren't give in to the aftermaths involving other characters that impacted the main stars lives, including the other so-called rambunctious girl in Johnny's life and Alma's pastor father who verbally lied to her, which is something pastor's are not supposed to do. We kind of have to come up with our own conclusions on some of those people. Both Laurence Harvey and Geraldine Page are exceptional, but the story overall still has much to be desired.

Great actress

[brianwalker-341-207399 · 6/10 · 11 April 2012]

In my opinion, Geraldine Page was the greatest American Actress in the 20th Century. I believe that had she not spent much of her time on the New York Stage, she would have won several more Oscars, but was considered somewhat a Hollywood outsider.

She should have won for Summer and Smoke, and Sweet Bird of Youth. She carried these movies by her great acting skills and hard work.

All of her movies need to be on DVD. It is particularly surprising to me that Summer and Smoke has not been converted to DVD.

Does anyone know if any of her Stage Plays have been captured on video, and if so, where such videos could be obtained?

Summer and Smoke ***1/2

[edwagreen · 8/10 · 1 March 2008]

Tennessee Williams is at his best here in this great play made into a startling motion picture.

The phenomenal Geraldine Page is absolutely brilliant here as a repressed spinster who finds love with the doctor next door only to throw it away.

Williams continues his never ending attack on religion, rebelliousness, drug addiction and dysfunctional love.

Una Merkel, who received a supporting Oscar nomination for her role as Alma's (Page's) mother, is excellent here. She is weird, a manipulator and pulls out every stop in a very good performance. Too bad that her role was concentrated solely at the beginning of the film.

Laurence Harvey has what it takes as the wild doctor brought down to reality when his lifestyle causes the tragic demise of his father.

Miss Page exhibits every nuance in playing the part that made her such a great actress- a neurotic woman, in conflict with society, or is she a victim of it?

Williams' Chronicle of the Transformation of Platonic Friends in the pre-WW I South is Well Written

[Turfseer · 7/10 · 5 July 2023]

If you are patient enough to sit through this adaptation of Tennessee Williams' second-tier stage play, "Summer and Smoke," I feel you will be rewarded.

One of the best things about Williams is his ability to create characters with interesting flaws and idiosyncrasies, and "Summer and Smoke" is no exception. This is crucial because not only is the narrative overly verbose due to its stage play origins, but there are no major plot twists until past the midpoint.

Set in a small Mississippi town right before World War I, the production design hits the mark, especially the costumes that capture the period perfectly.

"Summer and Smoke" tells the tale of two neighbors who have known each other since childhood: Alma Winemiller (Geraldine Page) and John Buchanan Jr. (Laurence Harvey).

Both characters have issues with their parents. Alma has become a spinster, even though she's relatively young in her 30s, forced to take care of her emotionally unstable mother, Mrs. Winemiller (Una Merkel). Alma's reticence in relationships, especially with men, is partly due to her strict minister father, Reverend Winemiller (Malcolm Atterbury).

John also struggles with his physician father, John Sr. (John McIntire), a widower who is angry with his son over his gambling and drinking habits - particularly embarrassing since John Jr. Has recently become a doctor himself.

Alma fantasizes about John, but their relationship remains platonic, even after he makes a physical advance. John believes Alma is repressed due to her puritanical upbringing, while Alma sees John as irresponsible due to his profligate ways.

John becomes attracted to the sultry Rosa (Rita Moreno), the daughter of a local casino owner, Papa Zacharias (Thomas Gomez). Unfortunately, Rosa is a completely underdeveloped character and the weakest part of the script.

Things come to a head when John hosts a drunken party with Rosa and her father in the Buchanan home. Alma calls John Sr. About the chaos, leading to a tragic chain of events. John Sr. Begins whipping Papa Zacharias, who responds by shooting him. John bitterly blames Alma for his father's death, and they remain estranged for many months.

Alma's decision to call John's father home was myopic, as she did not anticipate his extreme reaction, despite the community's knowledge of his disdain for his son's behavior, which jeopardized his reputation.

However, this tragedy ends up transforming both John and Alma. As Alma puts it, "the tables have turned." She is no longer afraid of her carnal desires and now desires a physical relationship with John.

The young doctor also undergoes a transformation and becomes a responsible member of the community, crediting Alma for turning him into a spiritual person.

In a melancholy twist, John rejects Alma's advances, as he is now committed to marrying Nellie Ewell (Pamela Triffin), a recent college graduate.

"Summer and Smoke" could have easily descended into bathos after John's rejection of Alma, but the last scene saves the picture. Alma is shown open to meeting a new man, traveling salesman Archie Kramer (Earl Holliman). It's an uplifting scene that suggests going through turbulent events in life can lead to positive transformations.

Geraldine Page delivers a great performance as the oversensitive daughter, although some argue that Laurence Harvey is miscast as the libertine young doctor. Perhaps Paul Newman might have been better suited for the role, but Harvey's performance is certainly adequate.

Among the supporting players, Una Merkel stands out with her outstanding portrayal of the emotionally challenged mother.

Overall, "Summer and Smoke" is a well-written chronicle of the transformation of platonic friends, capturing the nuances of its characters and delivering a poignant message about personal growth and resilience.

"WOW....One of the Tennessee Williams Best Plays and Great Film"

[victorsargeant · 10/10 · 9 July 2005]

I have watched this film several times. It still holds its power over me. Earl Holloman, made "Giant" in 1956, "The Rain Maker" and now here he is again, doing a great job. Bravo Earl. Stood next to him at Sherman Oaks Tower Records, and out of respect, didn't say a word. If you like them, you allow them, their private lives. They know you know who they are, and are grateful, you don't bother them. The best zoo in the world, this Hollywood community?

Geraldine Page deserved an Oscar. Yes, "Sweet Bird of Youth" is fine as well, but in "Summer and Smoke", she is brilliant as Alma.

Ms. Page carries the film alone.

Tennesse Williams, said, "He was all the women in his plays", and I believe it.

Ahhhh...the battle with the flesh and the Soul, timeless struggle, that no one seems to win, completely. Life happens between rounds, somewhere in the middle perhaps? Elmer Berstein's score is haunting and one of my favorites, next to his "To Kill a Mockingbird". See his website.

Alma represents the part of our collective psyche, that fights our sensual wild desires, that eventually, becomes "intergrated" into our whole self. The battle is white hot, on some summer nights. Summer is a sensual season, as our armor, mask, are shed, from the heat of the night, exposing our flesh, that screams to get loose, and thrive. Winter, where this battle resolves, allows these desires to be blanketed by heavy clothes, brisk winds, and we bury our self to put to sleep our pseudo-selves.

Summer seems to be a favorite season for Tennessee Williams, "streetcar Named Desire", again sweat, blood, and tears, leave us naked with our demons of desire. In the hot Southern nights, where Bible passages, do not quiet the beast, blood fires burn hot, and white linen grows damp with passions.

"Summer and Smoke" changes me a little each time I allow myself, to become enmeshed in its desperate struggle. "Night of the Iguana" again, a hot summer night, seems to finally, release us, from "Summer and Smoke" and we are redeemed, refreshed, anew...from "the night of the blue devils". Bravo to the cast for this splendid theatrical presentation on film.

For Geraldine Page Completists

[evanston_dad · 6/10 · 18 September 2023]

"Summer and Smoke" is yet another story about a sexually repressed spinster unsettled by a lusty man she's secretly got the hots for. This trope has been visited so many times, and there are such better versions of it out there, that I can't wholeheartedly recommend this movie. But it does have one major asset, and that's Geraldine Page. Her eccentric, mannered way with a line of dialogue makes her perfect casting for roles like these, and she received the second of eight career Oscar nominations for her performance.

Not much of note happens in this Tennessee Williams-lite stage to screen adaptation.

Una Merkel received a Supporting Actress nomination for playing Page's senile mom, and indeed the film's best moments are when those two are on screen together. The movie also scored nominations for its color art direction and the score by Elmer Bernstein.

Grade: B.

Heat that doesn't smolder enough

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 13 August 2019]

Really wanted to like 'Summer and Smoke' much more. Love Tennessee Williams, especially 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', and there are several more than worthwhile film adaptations of his work (1951's 'A Streetcar Named Desire' being for me the definitive one). Calling Geraldine Page merely a great actress doesn't do her justice, and she already was hardly inexperienced when it came to Williams. Elmer Bernstein was a fine composer and composed some of film's most iconic main themes.

'Summer and Smoke' is for me though one of the lesser Williams film adaptations. Part of the problem is the play itself, which is nowhere near Williams' best in my view (though that is not saying it's bad). There are undeniably powerful moments, with the ending being an emotional powerhouse, and Williams' dialogue is unmistakable Williams and sears in its best moments. Other Williams plays however have far richer character and story development, don't think there's enough of either in 'Summer and Smoke' and there is has erratic spots, and are bolder with the melodrama not being quite as over-heated.

There are good things with 'Summer and Smoke'. It looks great, beautifully photographed with quite opulently coloured and never gaudy art direction. Bernstein's score is one of those that gets to the emotional core of the story, doing it in a way that's poignant and nostalgic. The main theme being a primary example. The film's highlight when it comes to individual scenes is the ending, which is a real tear-jerker.

All the supporting cast do well, with the battleaxe performance of Una Merkel standing out. There is one reason to see 'Summer and Smoke' though and that is Page. She goes full-throttle and gives a simply miraculous performance that smolders in a way that most of the rest of the film didn't.

Did find Laurence Harvey though dull and thought he didn't always look comfortable. He and Page don't ignite enough together. That the material itself comes to life in spurts but generally doesn't ignite enough is a big part of the film's problem. Some very interesting themes here, translated on screen with not enough passion and could have been bolder regardless of how subtle the play is compared to other Williams works.

Furthermore, the material didn't feel opened up enough or cinematic enough. Feeling rather stagy and like a filmed play production, with some of the more melodramatic parts being over-heated. Peter Glenville's direction gets the job done with no disasters really but came over as little more than workmanlike.

In conclusion, a lesser Williams film adaptation of a play that doesn't see him on top form. Watchable certainly but am on the fence. 5/10

Geraldine Page - Greatest American Actress of 20th Century

[drnarsty · 10/10 · 24 September 2006]

In my opinion, Geraldine Page was the greatest American Actress in the 20th Century. I believe that had she not spent much of her time on the New York Stage, she would have won several more Oscars, but was considered somewhat a Hollywood outsider.

She should have won for Summer and Smoke, and Sweet Bird of Youth. She carried these movies by her great acting skills and hard work.

All of her movies need to be on DVD. It is particularly surprising to me that Summer and Smoke has not been converted to DVD.

Does anyone know if any of her Stage Plays have been captured on video, and if so, where such videos could be obtained?

A Sleepy Southern Tale That Tries Hard

[jennycallahan · 7/10 · 27 November 2021]

I adore Tennessee Williams and he is the reason I watched this movie. I love Geraldine Page. I feel for her character. But this film is slow and kind of drags on and you wait for something fantastic to happen. That is, if you have not read the play.

The story is relatable. Typical story of a girl who pines for a man that she cant have. The film feels that basic. Nothing against Tennessee Williams at all. His work is quite difficult to put to film tastefully. 7 stars for the efforts. Just wish it was done better and more realistically.

Hardly the best of Williams

[MOscarbradley · 5/10 · 22 May 2017]

Hardly the best of Tennessee Williams and this film version does nothing to improve on it. The director was Peter Glenville who may have been highly proficient on stage but who had no real idea of what made good cinema and this is turgid at best. Geraldine Page may have been ideally suited to the role of the repressed spinster Alma but her tremulous, hesitant and, of course, highly mannered performance is just annoying and you know something is askew when the usually wooden Laurence Harvey more than manages to hold his own against her. He's the good-for-nothing young doctor who seduces her and whose body just drives her wild with desire as a certain Miss Bowles might say. As the local tramp Rita Moreno barely gets a look in though Una Merkel makes a brave stab at playing Page's dotty mother, (she and Page were both Oscar-nominated). Williams later revised the piece under the title "Eccentricities of a Nightingale" which was filmed for television with Blythe Danner and Frank Langella.