Kiss Her Goodbye

This is a drama with a still relevant story line about a mentally challenged young lady named Emily Wilson (Sharon Farrell) whose older brother named Ed Wilson (Steven Hill) puts his own life aside to take care of his younger sister. Emily is an extremely sensual looking 20 something young lady who has the mental capacity and innocence of a six (6) year old girl, but the physical attributes of a well endowed sex goddess.

Ed realizes that his mentally challenged younger sister Emily would be unable to survive on her own without becoming preyed upon by every horny man in town and when that has happened in past years, and in towns they are just passing through, Emily becomes frightened and hysterical and can become violent to the men who are unaware of her mental challenges if they attempt to make unwanted passes at her.

It is a dramatic film with a great story line and even greater acting. Actor Steven Hill went on to great success in the longstanding TV series Law&Order between 1990-2000 as the District Attorney, Adam Schiff.

I would highy recommend this black and white dramatic film as a must see with mental issues and family struggles that remain relevant even today. I give the film a highly rewarding 9 out of 10 IMDb rating.

Late-'50s indie with a putrid aroma, about an average Joe trying to protect his mentally retarded but nubile sister from the attentions of uncomprehending suitors. Not much happens, but from the frenzy of fanfares in the bloated musical score, you'd think we'd dropped the A-bomb on Moscow. I also notice that while the movie shakes its little finger at these guys for slobbering all over its heroine, it has no compunction about endless footage of Sharon Farrell in a bikini, Sharon Farrell in a tiny waitress outfit, Sharon Farrell at a playground innocently showing her panties. Her character makes no sense -- she's an incoherent screaming idiot one minute, a perfectly rational miss the next -- and Elaine Stritch, as a youngish widow stuck on the brother, doesn't fit comfortably into a conventional role. (The character also has an infant son, who is the basis of one dramatic incident and then is promptly forgotten.) Steven Hill, as the guy, maintains his dignity in another inconsistent role, and the black-and-white Florida photography is crisp and evocative, but it's one of those lurid Bs that makes you run for the shower once it's over.

I'm not sure why so many people have denigrated this movie. In the fabulous 50s this type of issue wasn't talked about or even whispered. I salute the director and producers for thinking outside the norms of the day. Miss Farrell was amazing in her first role. Low budget yes, but low budget doesn't always correlate to low quality. I stumbled into this movie by accident but would recommend to others to give it a try. For its time they surely would have had difficulty getting funding and promotion as Hollywood seldom sticks out their neck to reach beyond the cookie cutter scripts they celebrate. Well done.

Solid ensemble cast, featuring, Sharon Farrell (Emily) as the younger sister of Steven Hill (Ed). This duo, whose parents are no longer alive, end up at a road side inn, in a seaside town, that is little more than a "wide spot" in the road.

For reasons that would give too much of the plot away, they have been on the move. With their car broken down, Ed has to take a job at the local service station. This is how we get to know the rest of the cast, including Elaine Stritch as Marge.

I found this movie to be tightly written, well filmed, and could be considered "film noir." Give it a chance, the next time it's shown on one of the classic movie stations. Don't think it is available on video at this time. I think it may be mostly overlooked because of the lack of any "big name" stars.

An attractive young couple's car is broken down on the side of the road on a hot afternoon in rural Florida. The young man refuses help from the local police who stops to help but then asks a young farmer looking on nearby to take them into town. The farmer agrees to do this attracted by the girl. Who is this couple, where are they going, where are they from, etc. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT READ REVIEWS OR ANY SYNOPSIS BEFORE WATCHING THE MOVIE. The acting is very good especially Sharon Ferrell's inaugural performance. Recommended.