Wow, this looks nothing like the short play

This film was put together by a "group" of writers. Had nothing to do with Tennessee's actual one-act play. Redford said they'd just sit around and write and do whatever they thought might work. Mary Badham's character was everywhere when it came to putting her budding sexuality in perspective. It's actually a really bad film but I have loved it since childhood. Kate Reid is wonderful in this and even Charles Bronson, who comes off as one of the sleaziest pigs hangin' around like a spider. I love the New Orleans setting in the rain ... I just watch this movie and enjoy every time. It relaxes me. I can't for the life of me remember the "Baretta" guy's name. He was great in this as Alva's forlorn forgotten boyfriend. That guy's one of our most talented actors and now he's goin to jail ...




shel

I know no one has posted on this for almost two years and the original was nearly four years ago, but to clear things up for future curiosity...
The story of the film was derived (purely speculation) from the few details Williams provided in his one-act. It was a very, very short play. The opening and closing scenes of the film (with Willy and Tom on the railroad tracks) are the composite of the original script, but with a few details about the fate of Willy left out. It was actually, in my opinion, a great idea for a movie and the writers did remain faithful to the play. Given that their hero was already dead at the beginning, they had a lot of freedom and exploited it to their advantage.

Be like a duck...remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneath. - Michael Caine