SYNOPSIS

In a small town Kansas in the late 1920s, Bud (Warren Beatty) and Deanie (Natalie Wood) are two high school students who are head over heels in love with each other. Although they are driven by natural desires, Bud and Deanie fight their sexual urges at the behest of their well-meaning but oppressive parents whose advice leaves them perpetually confused and frustrated. Bud wants to marry Deanie and become a farmer, but finds himself constantly at odds with his wealthy domineering father Ace (Pat Hingle) who wants Bud to forget about Deanie, attend Yale and work in the family oil business. Deanie's mother (Audrey Christie), meanwhile, would love nothing more than to see her marry into a rich family. Nice girls, she warns Deanie, don't give in to their desires. But Deanie suffers a devastating mental breakdown, it threatens to tear the star-crossed lovers apart forever.

Director: Elia Kazan
Producer: Elia Kazan
Associate Producer: William Inge
Associate Producer: Charles H. Maguire
Screenplay: William Inge
Cinematography: Boris Kaufman
Art Direction: Richard Sylbert
Editing: Gene Milford
Music: David Amram
Costume Designer: Anna Hill Johnstone
Cast: Natalie Wood (Wilma Dean "Deanie" Loomis), Warren Beatty (Bud Stamper), Pat Hingle (Ace Stamper), Audrey Christie (Mrs. Loomis), Barbara Loden (Ginny Stamper), Zohra Lampert (Angelina), Fred Stewart (Del Loomis), Joanna Roos (Mrs. Stamper), Jan Norris (Juanita Howard), Gary Lockwood (Toots), Kay (Sandy Dennis), Crystal Field (Hazel), Marla Adams (June), Lynn Loring (Carolyn), John McGovern (Doc Smiley), Martine Bartlett (Miss Metcalf), Sean Garrison (Glenn), Charles Robinson (Johnny Masterson), Phyllis Diller (Texas Guinan), William Inge (Reverend Whitman), Phoebe Mackay (Stamper Maid).

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Why SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS is Essential

Splendor in the Grass was the first work ever written directly for the screen by famed playwright William Inge, whose plays include Bus Stop, Come Back, Little Sheba and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Picnic.

The film marked the feature film debut of future megastar Warren Beatty. Beatty's success in Splendor helped catapult him to instant stardom as he embarked on a long career as an actor, producer and Oscar®-winning director.

Splendor in the Grass was an important film for Natalie Wood. When it came along, Wood's career was at a standstill. Having come up through the Hollywood ranks as a child star, Wood was having difficulty transitioning into adult roles. Her success and subsequent Oscar® nomination for Splendor completely reignited her career as an adult actress.

Splendor in the Grass is a beautiful and tragic love story that has genuine resonance with its themes of passion, love, heartbreak, hypocrisy and madness. Director Elia Kazan called the last reel of Splendor his personal favorite last reel of all of his films.

by Andrea Passafiume