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Favorite scenes in 'Picnic'?

posted 18 years ago by thchicago
62 replies | jump to latest

I was just wondering what are some of the favorite scenes of fans of this movie? My absolute favorite is Roz Russell's scene on the porch "Marry me, Howard". I think it is played so beautifully with such desperate hope and longing. The end is so poignant, when Howard leaves and Rosemary leans against the porch post and watches him go and then she just slumps her shoulders in despair. I also like when William Holden first sees Kim Novak in the boat on the lake after she is crowned queen and he salutes her and she salutes back. Another favorite is the dance sequence, especially when Kim Novak first comes on the scene and dances over to William Holden. What are some of your favorites?

[–] MystMoonstruck 13 years ago

Naturally, the dance is THE best scene in the film. How can those who say Holden is too old deny the power of that scene? His weathered bad boy obviously captures Madge's heart; maybe it wouldn't have been as believable with someone younger, with less wear, a guy who would be too much like Cliff Robertson's character~with no contrast really. There's a great deal of animal attraction in that scene. The two really do match in some ways; they are physical/sensual creatures instead of intellectual beings. "I can tell a lot by dancing with a man."

One moment that tickles me is when Holden is in that race with his arm up in the air with Susan Strasberg wrapped around it! It shows his strength and control and is so bizarre that it makes me laugh every time I watch this movie.

I also like the boy-with-no-name announcement and other bits of the picnic, including the bubble-blowing baby. (I'm always reminded of the picnic in "Peyton Place", another movie about a little town with steamy, seamy secrets and some unusual people.)

Then, there's shirtless William Holden working in the back yard "naked as a savage" (correct quote?).

~~MystMoonstruck~~

[–] bastasch8647 13 years ago

Every scene with Susan Strasberg. SHE was the _real_ "pretty one". Natural, unaffected, vulnerable, precocious, innocent, charming. Completely mesmerizing, beautiful and scene-stealing. Not glamorous, just lovely. The ideal Girl Next Door.

[–] Errington_92 13 years ago

As others have said, the dance scene has its magic. The energy I felt between them as they danced with each other made the scene stand out. Both reacting to their instincts which created the raw energy.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] sludgehound 10 years ago

Oh yes the dance sequence is damn HOT! Pure sex on legs.
"I'm a businessman line" makes it.

One thing is seeing the younger girl put aside as the Woman enters the picture. Same motif as in the wonderful The Man in the Moon, 1991. Sister here is bit older than the 14 one in Moon but same sort of being sidelined for the real thing. Wicked twist to have older sister Novak set aside for a few moments in turn by the older Russell.
My being only child (tho tons of near relatives extended family) the dynamics within families, esp of same sex has certain appeal. Seems also popular theme for writers.
From Here to Eternity also set a standard for hotness along with Streetcar Named Desire flowing through in tone & performances. Maybe that amped up the stakes for Holden & Novak to just let it go.
If anyone ever dared a large remake of this classic, Springsteen's lyrics fit perfectly. "last chance power drive" would back up those shots of passing train and full moon sensual coded messages leading into the car world.
Quite a ride.

[–] CincyDude 10 years ago

In addition to all the above:

1) The scene/shot where Rosalind Russell bursts out of the front door, all decked out, dragging her shell-shocked soon-to-be husband. She is beaming, all the while she is chattering like a chipmunk. Similar is when they are getting into their "just married" car. She is acting like she just did a big hit of coke.

2) The scene/shot where Holden is going towards the freight train, holding himself back until Novak admits she loves him as she is holding on to him, while mom is in full-clutch mode of daughter from behind, trying to keep her from going to him and any further. And, of course, ten seconds later we see, emerging from behind the trees, a small figure/silhouette of him standing full square on top of the moving box car, with her gazing towards him from the foreground. Really over-the-top choreography, but, hey, it works.