Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1960)

9th *f bUtkctiPH "From The Terrace" Strong Drama For Adult Audiences &9Ul*€H 1£*U#f O O O Plus Strong version of O'Hara novel of success-driven hero. Discusses sex frankly. Newman, Woodward top cast. > John O'Hara's explosive best-seller about the price an ambitious young man is forced to pay while voraciously climbing the spiked ladder of success comes to the screen a colorful and 'engrossing drama. Loaded with frank situations involving faithful and unfaithful men and women, plus some satirical insights into the private lives of the financial and social leaders of American society, "From The Terrace" has the elements to entertain adult audiences. It has been professionally produced and directed by Mark ("Peyton Place") Robson, expertly acted by a first-rate cast headed by Paul Newman and Joanne Wood 'ward, and deftly constructed by scripter Ernest Lehman. And it introduces an exciting new female personality, Ina Balin. 1 20th Century-Fox plans to make the entire nation aware of this important summer release via a television promotional campaign geared to the forthcoming Democratic and Republican conventions. This, coupled with the marquee power of its two stars, the popularity of the novel and the assured word-ofmouth concerning the subject matter, augurs strong boxoffice returns in the metropolitan markets. The marital infidelity angle will not further its boxoffice chances in the hinterlands. Lehman's script is an ambitious and complex affair, probing into the lives of the upper crust of Philadelphia society, the playboys-and-girls of Manhattan's champagne and caviar set and the financial wizards who direct the nation's economy from their offices on Wall Street. It speaks openly, but inoffensively, about sex in general and the disintegration of one marriage in particular, and offers some witty and candid observations on many people moving through this power-happy world. Primarily, Lehman is concerned with success-obsessed New! man, a returning World War II veteran, who walks out on his Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman drunken and unfaithful mother and domineering father, and eventually becomes the youngest man this side of 40 ever to be made a full partner in a powerful New York investment house. During his rise he loses his identity, the respect of his wife and friends, and almost all of his beliefs. Running counterpoint, is the plight of Miss Woodward, Newman's beautiful, wealthy, restless wife. As the result of her husband's businessfirst inattentiveness, she becomes an unfaithful Jezebel. Sharing kudos with Lehman's script is Robson's direction. The story he spins is filled with numerous sub-plots, but he always manages to keep his focus centered on the NewmanWoodward deterioration. His vignettes of family relationships, society folk at leisure and striving for success all add to the film's total impact. The CinemaScope-DeLuxe Color lensing excitingly captures the mansions of the rich, the steel mills of Newman's father, the austerity of Wall Street and the serenity of the small town where Newman meets and falls in love with Miss Balin. It sums up to a professional job of moviemaking. The production is studded with topflight performances. Newman is a disturbing complexity of ambition, callousness and warmth. His tender love scenes in the beginning with Miss Woodward, and later with Miss Balin, are just as effective as his firm refusal to give into his father's domination and his fury when he confronts his wife with her libertine ways. Miss Woodward once again proves why she is one of the most talented actresses around. Her change from a spoiled society girl to a muture young woman in love and finally to a cold and calculating hussy is superb. Myrna Loy tends to overplay her small role of Newman's alcoholic mother, but Leon Ames is fine as Newman's up-by-his-ow n-bootstraps father, as is Felix Aylmer, a cynical but worldly-wise Wall Street tycoon who gives Newman his big break. Miss Balin's sensitive portrayal of the small-town girl who forgoes all her moral upbringing to give herself to the man she loves makes a pow erful impression. Her dark beauty and haunting eyes create an image of stardom. Newman sets up bachelor quarters with wartime buddy George Grizzard, and meets Miss Woodward, who is engaged to successful psychiatrist Patrick O'Neal. He woos and wins her, but soon begins devoting most of his time to his airplane business with Grizzard. Discovering he cannot rise fast enough where he is, Newman goes to work for Aylmer. Obsessed with reaching the top, he gives himself completely to his job, which often takes him out of town. Driven by loneliness and neglect, Miss Woodward takes up with O'Neal. When Aylmer finally tells him of his wife's unfaithfulness, Newman realizes the scandal of a divorce would ruin him with the firm. Their relationship becomes a series of arguments and insults. During one of his trips he meets and falls in love with Miss Balin. She comes to see him in New York and they are caught in a hotel room by a photographer sent by one of Newman's jealous business associates. He agrees not to publish the pictures if Newman plays ball on a major negotiation. With the partnership in his lap, Newman walks out on job and Miss Woodward to start over again with Miss Balin. 20th Century-Fox. 144 minutes. Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Myrna Loy, Ina Balin. Produced and Directed by Mark Robson. Film BULLETIN July II, I960 Page 15