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One of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1950s, "Picnic" was adapted by Daniel Taradash from the Pulitzer Prize-winning William Inge play. William Holden plays Hal Carter, a handsome drifter who ambles into a small Kansas town during the Labor Day celebration to look up old college chum Alan (Cliff Robertson, in his film debut). Hoping to hit up Alan for a job--or a handout--Hal ends up stealing his buddy's fiancee Madge Owens (Kim Novak). Hal also has a catnip effect on spinster schoolteacher Rosemary Sydney (Rosalind Russell), so much so that Rosemary makes a fool of herself in front of the whole town, nearly driving away her longtime beau Howard Bevans (Arthur O'Connell). Persuaded by his friends and family that Hal is no damn good, Madge is prepared to break off her relationship. As anyone who remembers the film's famous overhead closing shot knows, however, Madge is ultimately ruled by her heart and not her head. For a film set in Kansas, there's an awful lot of New York talent in the supporting cast (Susan Strasberg and Phyllis Newman come immediately to mind); still, the Midwestern ambience comes through loud and clear, especially during the perceptively detailed Labor Day picnic sequence. Broadening the film's appeal is its George Duning-Steve Allen title song, a variation of the old standard "Moonglow". Two sidebars: The original Broadway production of "Picnic" starred Ralph Meeker and Paul Newman; for the film version of "Picnic", William Holden was obliged to shave his chest, lest his hairy torso cause the female moviegoers to conjure up impure thoughts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Disc #1 -- Picnic
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Special Features
Photo Montage
Vintage Advertising
Talent Files
Joshua Logan
William Holden
Kim Novak
Rosalind Russell
Cliff Robertson
Theatrical Trailers
Picnic
Also Starring Kim Novak: Bell, Book and Candle
Also Starring Kim Novak: Pal Joey
Also Starring William Holden: Born Yesterday
Also Starring William Holden: Alvarez Kelly
Scene Selections
Chapters
Disc #1 -- Picnic
1. Start [2:46]
2. Hal Carter [1:19]
3. Madge Owens [2:30]
4. New Yard Man [6:28]
5. Hal's Resume [6:23]
6. Teasing Millie [1:49]
7. Looks Are Everything [4:53]
8. The Granary [3:35]
9. Water Sports [1:40]
10. Wall of Education [3:32]
11. Male Call [1:14]
12. Howard Bevans [5:27]
13. Picnic [5:04]
14. Hal's Old Man [6:36]
15. Artistic Admirer [4:28]
16. Queen of Neewollah [5:25]
17. "Moonglow" [3:50]
18. "Ride 'em, Cowboy!" [2:58]
19. All His Fault [3:54]
20. "I'm a Bum" [4:34]
21. "Take Me With You" [6:32]
22. "You All Right, Baby?" [5:17]
23. Every Right to Be Sore [2:45]
24. On the Lam [1:49]
25. Howard's Hide-Out [4:51]
26. Future Mrs. Bevans [4:43]
27. "I Love You, Madge" [5:00]
28. Tulsa Bound [3:26]
Art Director - William Flannery
Choreography - Miriam Nelson
Cinematographer - James Wong Howe
Composer (Music Score) - George Duning
Costume Designer - Jean Louis
First Assistant Director - Carter De Haven, Jr.
Makeup - Clay Campbell
Musical Direction/Supervision - Morris W. Stoloff
Musical Performer - George Greeley
Play Author - William Inge
Production Designer - Jo Mielzinger
Sound/Sound Designer - George Cooper
Based on a highly acclaimed play and awarded numerous Oscar nominations, "Picnic" has not aged as well as many other films from the same period. What in 1955 seemed daring and erotic now comes across as overly obvious and frightfully tame, a great deal of much ado about nothing. Worse, the film belies its stage origins, always feeling like a play instead of a movie, despite logical attempts to open it up. Speeches which had a significant impact onstage come across as mannered and artificial, and director Joshua Logan has a difficult time setting up shots and sequences involving more than two or three characters. Still, there's an undercurrent of deeper meaning underneath the surface that still manages to make its presence felt in a powerful way, and the famous dance segment still packs a punch. Although too old for the part, William Holden conveys the hidden desperation and fear of his character well and has the right physical presence the role requires. Kim Novak gives one of her better performances; the somewhat disconnected feeling she brings to her roles works well for a young girl who is disconnected from her surroundings and her future. Many may feel that Rosalind Russell goes too far over the top, but it's a brave attempt that mostly works and that creates some touching and deeply painful moments. As her love interest, Arthur O'Connell has a quiet strength that plays very nicely off of Russell. "Picnic" also benefits from its rich cinematography, capturing the golden tones of a summer day with beauty and precision, and from its sinuous score. Logan would direct the film version of another Inge play, "Bus Stop", the following year. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
Joshua Logan : Best British Film - British Academy of Film and Televisio, 1956
Joshua Logan : Best Director - Directors Guild of America, 1955
Joshua Logan : Best Director - Hollywood Foreign Press Association, 1955
William Flannery : Best Color Art Direction - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Robert Priestley : Best Color Art Direction - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Jo Mielzinger : Best Color Art Direction - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Joshua Logan : Best Director - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
George Duning : Best Drama or Comedy Score - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
William Lyon : Best Editing - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Charles Nelson : Best Editing - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Fred Kohlmar : Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
Arthur O'Connell : Best Supporting Actor - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sc, 1955
