mhrabovsky1

Classic Hollywood film about family of southern Indiana Quakers who resist the call to arms during the civil war. Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire are perfectly cast by William Wyler as father and mother, Jess and Eliza Birdwell who must guide their lives as well as their children's who face mounting obstacles from the civil war encroaching their southern Indiana home in 1862 in this beautifully made film. As staunch Quakers, their faith binds them to pacifism while their oldest son, played nobly by a young Anthony Perkins, struggles to find his mettle and courage as a young man. Phyllis Love, as Mattie Birdwell, the daughter, struggles also to act strait-laced as a proper Quaker lady, while fighting her emotions of love and affection for a neighbor union soldier. Don't miss little Jess (Richard Eyer) who battles an annoying pet family goose named Samantha, as well as trying to defend his mom and sister from advancing Rebel troops as well as any 12 year old could! Marjorie Main, taking a break from her Ma and Pa Kettle movies at the time, tickles your ribs as the widow Hudspeth who along with her homely, hapless daughters who pursue young Josh (Perkins) during a business trip to sell trees and plantings. Walter Catlett, who plays a bumbling organ salesman, nearly steals a large part of the movie trying to convince the Birdwells that an organ purchase would enrichen their lives- knowing fullwell that music in the home is against the Quaker religion. Dorothy Mcguire gives a brilliant performance as mother Eliza Birdwell, the spiritual glue who holds the family together through any crisis. The scene at the county fair with the entire family is pure joy! The scene with Cooper defending himself against a rebel soldier who has killed his best friend is powerful and compelling. This movie can be viewed by all ages and you will feel a sense of joy and peace yourself at the end!

"Picnic" is one of those rare smalltown movies that seems to grab you and not let go. You will remember this film for many years after you have seen it. William Holden plays a drifter, down on his luck, looking for that big break in his life. He seeks out an old college pal (Cliff Robertson) who is from the country club side of town life that Holden seeks. Holden's charisma and strong personna soon make him irrestible to all the women in the small Kansas town that the movie takes place in. In the course of one day (labor day) he steals the hearts of several women - including the girlfriend of his future employer's son (Robertson). The movie is a grand composite of smalltown America and their hopes and dreams. Kim Novak, very alluring for the role, appears a bit stiff, but nonetheless too beautiful for Holden to resist. Rosalind Russell, the old-maid schoolteacher,nearly steals the film from it's principals, Holden and Novak, in possibly her finest film role ever. Betty Field, as the mother of Novak and Susan Strasberg is perfectly cast as the eternal hope flame for her daughters

to get out of a nowhere small town. Arthur O'Connell compliments Russell perfectly as her dowagging boyfriend. Holden, though appearing a tad too old for the part, comes through smoothly in his role and his dance scene with Novak to the theme song "Picnic" is film history. The entire music score, by George Durning is a masterpiece. The scenes at the picnic are actual and don't miss the barbershop quartet singing and the dog in and out of the picnic basket.

"Picnic" is one of those rare smalltown movies that seems to grab you and not let go. You will remember this film for many years after you have seen it. William Holden plays a drifter, down on his luck, looking for that big break in his life. He seeks out an old college pal (Cliff Robertson) who is from the country club side of town life that Holden seeks. Holden's charisma and strong personna soon make him irrestibale to all the women in the small Kansas town that the movie takes place in. In the course of one day (labor day) he steals the hearts of several women - including the girlfriend of his future employer's son (Robertson). The movie is a grand composite of smalltown America and their hopes and dreams. Kim Novak, very alluring for the role, appears a bit stiff, but nonetheless too beautiful for Holden to resist. Rosalind Russell, the old-maid schoolteacher,nearly steals the film from it's principals, Holden and Novak, in possibly her finest film role ever. Betty Field, as the mother of Novak and Susan Strasberg is perfectly cast as the eternal hope flame for her daughters

to get out of a nowhere small town. Arthur O'Connell compliments Russell perfectly as her dowagging boyfriend. Holden, though appearing a tad too old for the part, comes through smoothly in his role and his dance scene with Novak to the theme song "Picnic" is film history. The entire music score, by George Durning is a masterpiece. The scenes at the picnic are actual and don't miss the barbershop quartet singing and the dog in and out of the picnic basket.