Anna Lucasta [Blu-ray]

Director: Arnold Laven Arnold Laven

Overview

Playwright Philip Yordan stirred up controversy with his 1944 Broadway production Anna Lucasta, the sexy saga of a family of avaricious African-Americans. Such was the notoriety of the play that Columbia Pictures couldn't resist optioning it for a film version. Since this was 1949, Columbia took into consideration both censors and intolerant filmgoers by toning down the play's eroticism and transforming the characters into Polish-Americans. The 1958 Anna Lucasta was filmed in more temperate times, thus the leading characters were once again non-Caucasians. Eartha Kitt stars as waterfront prostitute Anna Lucasta, called back home by her greedy brother-in-law (Frederick O'Neal) to be married off to a moderately wealthy young man (Henry Scott). Anna spoils the brother-in-law's plans by falling in love with the young fellow and seeing to it that no one gets their mitts on his money. A visitor from Anna's past (Sammy Davis Jr.) nearly wrecks the marriage, but Anna is forgiven by her husband and allowed a chance for a new life.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/02/2021
UPC:	0738329244743
Original Release:	1958
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	28,883

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Eartha Kitt	Anna Lucasta
Sammy Davis Jr.	Danny Johnson
Henry Scott	Rudolph Slocum
Frederick O'Neal	Frank
Rex Ingram	Joe Lucasta
Georgia Burke	Theresa
James Edwards	Eddie
Rosetta Le Noire	Stella
Isabel Cooley	Katie,Katie
Alvin Childress	Noah
Claire Leyba	Blanche
John Proctor	Stanley
Charles Swain	Lester
Isaac Jones	Cop
Wally Earl	Secretary
Elmer Bernstein	Composer

Technical Credits

Philip Yordan

Arnold Laven	Director
Philip Yordan	Screenwriter
Sidney Harmon	Producer

Editorial Reviews

On the Broadway stage in the 1940, Philip Yordan's Anna Lucasta caused quite a stir; this 1958 remake (the play was first filmed in 1949) didn't create quite the same reaction when released and when seen today it is likely to be dismissed as an exercise in much ado about nothing. The blame lasts primarily with Yordan's screenplay, which to modern audiences will seem overwrought in the extreme -- not to mention mechanical and overly calculated. Still, Yordan had a definite flair, and even in the midst of this he manages to come up with a number of powerful scenes and some moments that really hit the mark. He's helped by a very fine cast. While it's easy to charge that many are overacting, for the most part they're simply doing what Yordan's screenplay requires -- and doing it quite well. Sultry, pouty Eartha Kitt is everything that Anna should be -- a frightened tiger, ready to bear her claws and fangs one moment then nuzzle up against a fellow with soft purrs the next. Sammy Davis Jr. isn't quite as comfortable in his role, perhaps because physically he's a bit too lightweight for the part, but he brings conviction to his role. And Rex Ingram is downright spooky as the father who doth protest too much. Anna should be seen, not for its screenplay, but for the chance to see talented black actors given a chance to handle some meaty, if overdone, parts.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler