Expert: Jim Kason - 9/17/2009

Question
Hi, I'm looking for the title of a movie, probably late 50's, that has a very inhibited blond woman living next door to an outgoing dark haired doctor's son. They are interested in eachother but she is unable to respond to the relationship because she is so un-sure of herself. In one scene she does go out with him and he takes her to a cock fight in a rough place and she gets some blood on her white blouse and she freaks out. In the film, he calls her Ms Thelma, or something like it. Another scene in film has the doctor's son having a party with some latino friends. His father comes home and tries to break up the party and someone accidentally kills him. At this point the son moves away for some years. When the doctor's son comes back home the blond woman has realized that she loves him and she must come out of her shell, but when she goes to tell him she finds he has come back with a fiance. I thought the title had the word Eden in it but I could be wrong. Can you help? Thanks

Answer
Hi Trina,

Yes, I know the film you're looking for.  It's an old favorite of mine,...based on a 50's novel and play by the famous Tennessee Williams.
Released in 1961 by MGM, it's the color film, "Summer and Smoke", starring  Laurence Harvey, Geraldine Paige and Rita Moreno.

For a full synopsis of the plot, ( you did a very accurate description), go to:    http://www.tcm.com:80/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=4250
( TCM TV sometimes telecasts this film.)

I don't think it's out on DVD, but you can get a used VHS at  Amazon.com:   
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Smoke-VHS-Laurence-Harvey/dp/6302023777/ref=sr_1_1?...

Sincerely,

Jim Kason