Jim Kiley

I think this film ended the string of teenage angst films of the 50's, such as James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. I think the reason this film was so popular at the time was the "Introducing Warren Beatty" in his first starring role in a film. My God was he stunningly gorgeous. Warren's understated, almost passive, acting style was already evident in his first film, especially contrasted with Pat Hingle's over the top father character. Pat Hingle is amazing (too much at times) but there's no doubt he owned every scene he was in. The angst of not "doing it" wouldn't be as compelling a storyline today but in 1961, and definitely in 1929, it was a big deal. We watched this in the evening after cocktails and dinner. Sometimes we fall asleep watching movies but this one kept us awake!