Class 25-26 Notes Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 1955 (1958 Film version)
Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams) 1911-1983 b. Miss.;
Also wrote The Glass Menagerie (1944); A Streetcar Named Desire
(1947); The Rose Tattoo (1951); Suddenly, Last Summer (1958);
Sweet Bird of Youth (1959); The Night of the Iguana (1961).
A southerner, Williams was the grandson of a preacher and the son
of a shoe salesman, who was also a heavy drinker. He was actually
raised by his snobbish “Southern Belle-type” mother and a black
nanny, Ozzie. TW had close relationship with sister, Rose (a schizo
who was lobotomized). A theory is that the focus on female
characters in his plays can be attributed to his female-dominated
childhood. After being weakened by an almost-fatal case of
diphtheria, father snubbed him. His dysfunctional family is also seen
as an inspiration for the dysfunctional families so common to his
plays, and the reason for his ultimate dissolution.
TW began to write professionally in 1927; went to Missouri School of
Journalism in 1929. After working a short time in father’s shoe
company, TW went to Washington U. in St. Louis, began to write
plays. In 1939 worked for WPA. The Glass Menagerie was huge
success, 1st in Chicago, then on Broadway.
In 1930, “came out of the closet,” had long-lasting relationship with
actor Frank Merlo. After Merlo’s death in 1963, TW became alcoholic
and drug abuser. Died in 1983.
Williams wrote, technically, in prose, but writing is definitely “poetic.”
Film directed by Richard Brooks (Blackboard Jungle 1955; Elmer
Gantry 1960; Looking for Mr. Goodbar 1977).
CAST
Elizabeth Taylor - Maggie Pollitt
Paul Newman - Brick Pollitt
Burl Ives - “Big Daddy” Pollitt
Judith Anderson - “Big Momma” Pollit
Jack Carson - “Gooper” Pollitt
Madeline Sherwood - Mae Flynn Pollitt