Labor Day in a small Kansas farm town. Hal, a burly and resolute drifter, jumps off a dusty freight train car with the purpose of visiting Alan, a former college classmate and son of the richest man in town.
Cinematography
James Wong Howe's golden-hour magic makes Kansas look like fevered desire.
Acting
Rosalind Russell's desperate spinster monologue will haunt you for days.
Direction
Joshua Logan makes a picnic basket feel like a ticking time bomb.
Director
Joshua Logan
William Holden
Hal Carter
Kim Novak
Madge Owens
Rosalind Russell
Rosemary - The School Teacher
Betty Field
Flo Owens
Susan Strasberg
Millie Owens
Cliff Robertson
Alan Benson
Arthur O'Connell
Howard Bevans
Verna Felton
Helen Potts
Reta Shaw
Irma Henderson
Nick Adams
'Bomber'
Raymond Bailey
Mr. Benson
Elizabeth Wilson
Christine Schoenwalder
Phyllis Newman
Juanita Badger
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
William Holden was 37 playing a 'college-aged' drifter and hated the role, calling Hal 'a bum.' Kim Novak was so nervous she shook visibly during close-ups.
The 'Moonglow' dance sequence became instantly iconic and was frequently censored for television—too much hip movement for 1955 sensibilities.
US
