Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

(1958)

Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives

From the Pulitzer prize-waning play by Tennessee Williams, we have this wonderful film with memorable actors. Newman is a fox, and nothing more needs to he said about Brick Pollitt, but we must comment on his wife, Maggie "the cat" Pollitt. Elizabeth Taylor plays this cat on a hot tin roof, whose only victory is in remaining upon that hot tin roof as long as possible. And Maggie does survive by manipulating her way into Big Daddy's heart. Williams's play discusses some of the basic problems of family life. Brick, the ex-football star, is Big Daddy's pride and joy, and one of the funniest parts comes when Maggie explains that her husband is down in the cellar with Big Daddy, and can help him. Then, the smart aleck of a sister-in-law retorts, "How is he going to help? Is he gonna kick a few field goals for him?" This line is so sarcastic, and shows this particular actress at her best. She is the only cast member, who came from the original Broadway theatrical production. Great movie, well-acted! But the show-stealer was the good-looking Paul Newman! :-)