Summer and Smoke (film)
# Summer and Smoke (film)

Summer and Smoke is a 1961 American drama film directed by Peter Glenville, and starring Laurence Harvey and Geraldine Page, with Rita Moreno, Una Merkel, John McIntire, Thomas Gomez, Pamela Tiffin, Malcolm Atterbury, Lee Patrick, and Earl Holliman. Based on the Tennessee Williams play of the same name, it was adapted by James Poe and Meade Roberts.

## Plot

Alma Winemiller is the fragile, lonely, and oversensitive daughter of a minister in a small Mississippi town shortly before the first World War. From childhood she has harbored an almost spiritual love for John Buchanan, who, though a physician like his father, resents being forced to follow in his father's footsteps. But the unruly John prefers livelier company than the timid Alma; in particular, he is attracted to Rosa Zacharias, the tigerish daughter of the owner of Moon Lake Casino. One night, John becomes intrigued by Alma's shy, inhibited gropings toward love, and he takes her to the casino. When he tries to seduce her, the horrified girl hysterically denounces him and runs away. A short time later, the elder Dr. Buchanan is called out of town, and John uses the occasion to throw a wild party celebrating his betrothal to Rosa. Alma frantically telephones Dr. Buchanan, who quickly returns, quarrels with Zacharias, and is accidentally shot and killed. Shattered by the tragedy caused by his carousing, John reforms and takes over his father's practice. As the months pass, Alma's brooding love erupts into passion; and she goes to John and offers herself to him. But it is too late; it is John who now regards their relationship as a spiritual one. After learning that John plans to marry Nellie Ewell, a young girl, the heartbroken and frustrated Alma wanders down to the park. There she strikes up an acquaintance with a lonely traveling salesman, Archie Kramer. When he asks what excitement can be found in the town, Alma smiles at him and suggests they take a taxi to Moon Lake Casino. As they drive off, Alma watches the dying leaves of summer blowing across the pavement (synopsis from AFI Catalog of Feature Films ).

## Cast

* Laurence Harvey as John Buchanan, Jr.
* Geraldine Page as Alma Winemiller
* Rita Moreno as Rosa Zacharias
* Una Merkel as Mrs. Winemiller
* John McIntire as Dr. Buchanan
* Thomas Gomez as Papa Zacharias
* Pamela Tiffin as Nellie Ewell
* Malcolm Atterbury as Rev. Winemiller
* Lee Patrick as Mrs. Ewell
* Max Showalter as Roger Doremus (as Casey Adams)
* Earl Holliman as Archie Kramer
* Pepe Hern as Nico

## Reception

While Geraldine Page received nearly universal acclaim for her performance, Laurence Harvey was thought by some contemporary reviewers as having been miscast as John Buchanan Jr.

## Accolades

| Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Academy Awards | Best Actress | Geraldine Page | Nominated |
| Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Una Merkel | Nominated |
| Academy Awards | Best Art Direction – Color | Art Direction: Hal Pereira and Walter H. Tyler Set Decoration: Samuel M. Comer and Arthur Krams | Nominated |
| Academy Awards | Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture | Elmer Bernstein | Nominated |
| Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | Peter Glenville | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Geraldine Page | Won |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Score – Motion Picture | Elmer Bernstein | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | Most Promising Newcomer – Female | Pamela Tiffin | Nominated |
| Laurel Awards | Top Musical Score | Elmer Bernstein | 5th Place |
| National Board of Review Awards | Top Ten Films | Top Ten Films | 6th Place |
| National Board of Review Awards | Best Actress | Geraldine Page | Won |
| New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress | Geraldine Page | 2nd Place |
| Venice International Film Festival | Golden Lion | Peter Glenville | Nominated |
| Venice International Film Festival | Best Actress | Geraldine Page | Won |

The film is recognized by the American Film Institute in these lists:

* 2005: AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores – Nominated
