{"id":75253,"date":"2021-08-21T15:22:39","date_gmt":"2021-08-21T22:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75253"},"modified":"2021-09-10T18:28:47","modified_gmt":"2021-09-11T01:28:47","slug":"roman-spring-of-mrs-stone-the-1961","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75253","title":{"rendered":"Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, The (1961)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;The whole world &#8212; the stars&#8230; Everything is drifting. Is it so bad to drift?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone-195x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-75254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone-195x300.png 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone-664x1024.png 664w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone-175x270.png 175w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mrs-Stone.png 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen her older husband (John Phillips) dies during a trip to Italy, an aging actress (Vivien Leigh) sets up a home for herself in Rome and befriends a crafty Contessa (Lotte Lenye) who procures a handsome young lover (Warren Beatty) for her.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Expatriates<\/li>\n<li>May-December Romance<\/li>\n<li>Prostitutes and Gigolos<\/li>\n<li>Tennessee Williams Films<\/li>\n<li>Vivien Leigh Films<\/li>\n<li>Warren Beatty Films<\/li>\n<li>Widows and Widowers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nVivien Leigh (in her next-to-last big screen role) is perfectly cast in this adaptation of Tennessee Williams&#8217; novel about an aging actress who finally allows herself to be seduced by a young gigolo, fooling herself (somewhat) into believing he loves her. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-1024x574.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-1536x860.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2-482x270.png 482w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh2.png 1819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While Leigh&#8217;s sensitive portrayal is fine and nuanced, Beatty reveals his lack of acting experience by giving a fairly terrible performance &#8212; though at least he comes across as authentically obnoxious: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-1024x580.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-1024x580.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-1536x870.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty-477x270.png 477w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Beatty.png 1817w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s not much to the storyline other than watching a reasonably likable, self-sufficient woman (Leigh is clear on what she wants for herself) being taken for a ride by manipulative bastards &#8212; so your enjoyment of this film will depend entirely on whether you&#8217;re up for this kind of narrative playing out. The film is also notable for featuring stage actress Lotte Lenya in one of her very few screen roles, and she&#8217;s quite effective:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-1024x580.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-1024x580.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-1536x870.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2-477x270.png 477w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye2.png 1799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Lenya is likely best known to film fanatics for playing villainous Rosa Klebb in From <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44880\"><em>Russia With Love<\/em> (1963)<\/a>, but she also starred (much earlier) in G.W. Pabst&#8217;s adaptation of her husband Kurt Weill&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75944\"><em>Three Penny Opera<\/em> (1931)<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vivien Leigh as Karen Stone (nominated as one of the Best Actresses of the Year in Peary&#8217;s <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Leigh3.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Lotte Lenya as Contessa Magda<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-1024x580.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-1024x580.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-1536x871.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye-476x270.png 476w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Lenye.png 1805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine production design and cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-1024x574.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-1536x862.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Sets.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-1024x571.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"357\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-75259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-1024x571.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-1536x857.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror-484x270.png 484w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Roman-Spring-Mirror.png 1819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s worth a one-time look for Leigh&#8217;s performance. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0055382\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/the-roman-spring-of-mrs-stone\/review\/2030102753\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/88570\/the-roman-spring-of-mrs-stone#articles-reviews?articleId=89028\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1974roma.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The whole world &#8212; the stars&#8230; Everything is drifting. Is it so bad to drift?&#8221; Synopsis: When her older husband (John Phillips) dies during a trip to Italy, an aging actress (Vivien Leigh) sets up a home for herself in Rome and befriends a crafty Contessa (Lotte Lenye) who procures a handsome young lover (Warren Beatty) for her. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Expatriates May-December Romance Prostitutes and Gigolos Tennessee Williams Films Vivien Leigh Films Warren Beatty Films Widows and&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=75253\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75253"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75989,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75253\/revisions\/75989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}