FROM THE TERRACE

US, 1960, 144 minutes, Colour.
Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ina Balin, Leon Ames, George Grizzard, Felix Aylmer, Myrna Loy, Patrick O' Neal.
Directed by Mark Robson.

From the Terrace falls into the category of specialised film from best seller. Director Mark Robson has skills in a wide variety of genres but he has made quite a number of films from best-sellers; perhaps the most famous was The Valley of the Dolls. This film was also a vehicle for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. It has a big business background and boasts such stars as Felix Aylmer, Myrna Loy and Patrick O' Neal in support. The strength of the actors and the competency of the direction, as well as the colour and widescreen, give the feeling of a certain strength. Perhaps this is more than the basic plot and the exploration of values warrant. However, it is the kind of film that audiences enjoy and enjoy talking about even if it does not have depth.

1. How enjoyable was this "soap-opera" and saga? Was it interesting? A good exploration of social themes and personalities?

2. The contribution of colour, widescreen, stars, glossy production?

3. Critics said the film was "too glossy" and "superficial", "too unreal". How true is this? Or is it a popular exploration of characters and themes for the general audience?

4. How was Alfred the focus of the film? Paul Newman's performance? The expectations of this character, the younger son. the newly-rich background, his role in the war, his need for independence, the lack of love in his life, his father's hurting him. his need to achieve, his being deceived by his partners, by Mary, his insecure life, his inability to relate fully.

5. How was Alfred a typical American hero? The expectations of his way of life, to succeed in business and make money, the effect of the American way of life on him and his character, the standards of morality?

6. How was his behaviour and life explained by his parents' influence? The film's characterization of his father, the nature of the dialogue between father and son. his father's attitude towards his mother. the lack of love, of physical contact, the important speech where his father explained his love for the dead son? His mother as a weak woman, the opening sequence of the train, her drinking, her lover, her inability to be a model for her son? What was the overall effect on Alfred's attitudes towards life and people?

7. The partnership with Lex? The dubious background of the making of the planes? The swindling and edging Alfred out? The comment on competition and big business?

8. Was Mary at all an attractive character? The title as applied to her by Alfred? The influence of her parents and the film's highlighting their characters, their snobbery. their taking advantage of Alfred's wealth? Her relation to Jim Roper? The reason for her marriage, her way of life, the happy years of marriage, the lack of children, her gradual hardening? Why did the marriage fail? How much was Mary's fault, Alfred's? Her defiant return to Roper? What did she have by the end of the film? Was this a satisfactory character study of a rich society woman failing in happiness?

9. The contrast with Natalie? Her hesitation in relating to Alfred, her calling him "David", her change of attitude, her sacrificing herself for him, her continued fidelity? Was she a satisfactory heroine for this film?

10. Mac Hardie and his world: the accident of saving the grandson, the introduction to the business world. Mac Hardie's relentlessness in his job, his skill? His admiration for Alfred, his using him, ruining his marriage, his moral stances in not wanting public disturbance? Did he deserve the reaction of Alfred? The attack at the end? The film's comments on the way of life of Mac Hardie?

11. Duffy and his relationship to Mac Hardie? His double-dealing? His pettiness with Alfred? Using the photographers and scandal?

12. Did the film offer much insight into the world of business, manoeuvres, exposure?

13. Was the ending too romantic? Was it in any way realistic? Moral attitudes at the end?

14. The critics were very severe on the film. Did it merit severity?