Tuesday, April 04, 2017

David T. Patterson in the Current Off-Broadway Production of 'Picnic'


I remember my mom telling me she saw "Picnic" on her very first date. With gorgeous Kim Novak in the lead female role, the film was a success -- although I don't think the 37-year-old version of co-star William Holden had quite the body of his latest theatrical successor.



12 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the Inge play, the hunk is supposed to convey a pathos since he's a ne'er-do-well and a drifter. While you should feel lust for him, you should also feel pity. In the film, Holden was a bit too long in the tooth to be playing that character. In our beauty-obsessed era, every man on stage or film has an overdeveloped frame, even if the role doesn't call for it. Only mavericks like Bale, Gyllenhaal or what's his name from
"Dallas Buyers Club" have the gumption to transform their bodies to fit the role.

Shawn Cullen said...

Just a small note: "Picnic" (1955) starred Kim Novak, not Deborah Kerr.

Anonymous said...

Picnic is a fantastic movie. Great to watch Labor Day weekend. Though it's Kim Novak in the lead, not Deborah Kerr :-) William Holden looked great but was getting a bit old for the role. Rosalind Russell was a scene stealer.

Matthew said...

Don't be so sure! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/65513369549189275/

paul said...

Fact check! Deborah was a brilliant actress, but it was Kim Novak who played opposite William Holden. BTW, for his age Holden looked great! For me, it was Rosalind Russell who stole the movie, along with the theme song.

Joe said...

Mama must have been high 'cause it was Kim Stanley on stage and Kim Novak on film. And this guy is no Paulie Newman or Billy Holden.

Deep Dish said...

Just so you know, Kim Novak was in the film opposite William Holden - who was a hunk back then but not as hunky as Mr. Patterson.

Paul, PS said...

I'm sure Deborah Kerr would have been wonderful in the role -- unfortunately it was played by Kim Novak.

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

Oops! Thanks for the karrection

jaragon said...

Ken's mom must have been thinking about "From Here to Eternity" in which Kerr and Burt Lancaster have that still hot kissing scene on the beach. William Holden was a bit old for the movie- Paul Newman would have been perfect. Hal, the drifter is suppose to be sexy because he drives everyone in the play mad with passion.

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

No, I'm just an idiot!

Anonymous said...

Joe, you must have been high, because it was Janice Rule, not Kim Stanley.