RICHARD BROOKS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBB. 

USA, 1954.  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  Screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Richard Brooks, based on the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg.  Produced by Jack Cummings.  Music by Conrad Salinger.  Production Design by Randall Duell, Cedric Gibbons.  Costume Design by Helen Rose.  Film Editing by John D. Dunning.  

It was in this so-so romantic drama that Elizabeth Taylor said she first got an interest in being a good performer; up until then it had just been a job she had been doing since childhood. She’s excellent as a headstrong young woman who captures the fancy of Van Johnson before driving him into loneliness and despair. Aside from her and the beautiful title song (which had already debuted in the film Lady Be Good), there’s really no reason to rush out and see it. Donna Reed appears in a supporting role.