7.5/10
5,548
40 user 16 critic

Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)

Drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown after many years of trying to make it in the movies. Arriving with him is a faded film star he picked up along the way, Alexandra Del Lago. ... See full summary »

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Scotty
Barry Cahill ...
Bud
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Dan Hatcher
James Douglas ...
Leroy
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Ben Jackson
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Mayor Henricks
Dorothy Konrad ...

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Storyline

Drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown after many years of trying to make it in the movies. Arriving with him is a faded film star he picked up along the way, Alexandra Del Lago. While trying to get her help to make a screen test, he also finds the time to meet his former girlfriend Heavenly, the daughter of the local politician Tom 'Boss' Finley, who more or less forced him to leave the town many years ago. Written by Mattias Thuresson

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He used love like most men use money. See more »

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Drama

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Release Date:

29 May 1962 (Portugal)  »

Also Known As:

El dulce pájaro de la juventud  »

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Technical Specs

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Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Because of its then-shocking subject matter, this film was given a pre-rating advisory of restricted by the MPAA, prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from attending. This was pre-rating equivalent of an X (later NC-17) rating. By today's standards, the film is so tame that, when shown on Turner Classic Movies, it's rated TV-PG. See more »

Goofs

At 1:23:28, camera shadow on the blue suited man as he passes in front of the camera. See more »

Quotes

Chance Wayne: It's okay, Princess.
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Connections

Referenced in Star Maps (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played by the band at the festivities
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Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Close to top flight Williams...
9 January 2006 | by (Boston, MA) – See all my reviews

SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH may not rate with such Tennessee Williams masterpieces as A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and CAT ON THE HOT TIN ROOF, but it's still a top flight piece of entertainment capturing A LOT of great acting. As ne'er-do-well Chance Wayne, Paul Newman creates one of the most memorable of the callous, self-serving characters he would play throughout the '60s. Returning to his hometown as a self-anointed hero, he's pathetic. With fallen movie queen Geralding Page in tow, he sets his sight on the girlfriend he corrupted. As Heavenly Finley, Shirley Knight is heartbreaking. Page and Knight play polar opposites --- Page is a vain, desperate diva while Knight is all inner turmoil...in fact she appears to be trying to turn herself inside out from the shame she feels. Ed Begley plays Knight's father, the ruthless and corrupt "Boss" Finley. Begley had a lot of good roles in his long film career, but this takes the cake. He's rotten to the core. The film is mostly studio bound, but that only enhances the stylish direction by Richard Brooks. The classy supporting cast includes Rip Torn as Boss Finley's degenerate son, Tom Jr., Mildred Dunnock as Newman's unlikely ally and Madeline Sherwood as a vindictive good-time girl.


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