Cat on a Hot Tin Roof [Deluxe Edition]

Director: Richard Brooks, Dan Fogelman Richard Brooks

Overview

"Warner Home Video has done well by Richard Brooks' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), giving the movie a gloriously sharp and vivid transfer in its proper non-anamorphic aspect ratio (1.85:1). That would be enough by itself to recommend this DVD -- Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor look so stunning in their opening shots that the disc is like a massage to the eye, and cinematographer William H. Daniels' Oscar-nominated work has been lavished exceptional care across this entire disc. But the producers have also included a highly animated and informative commentary by Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Taylor biographer Donald Spoto, which is a delight to listen to and every bit as entertaining as the movie itself. His work is worth the price of admission by itself, and makes this a disc that one will watch more than once on first opening it. Spoto is also on hand for the bonus featurette ""Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Playing Cat and Mouse,"" which also includes contributions from Drew Casper and Paul Newman biographer Eric Lax, and co-star Madeleine Sherwood. This is, like the commentary, a highly animated, engaging, and informative account of the movie's production, and well worth seeing. The original trailer is also present (letterboxed 1.85:1), looking in nearly as good shape as the film itself. The latter has also been given a generous 26 chapters. The disc opens automatically to a very easy to use multi-layered menu offering quick and simple access to all features."

Product Details

Release Date:	05/02/2006
UPC:	0012569698529
Original Release:	1958
Rating:	NR
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	5,141

Special Features

Closed Caption;Commentary by biographer Doland Spoto, author of The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of Tennessee Williams; New featurette Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Playing Cat and Mouse; Theatrical Trailer; Languages: English & Français; Subtitles: English, Français, & Español

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Paul Newman	Brick
Elizabeth Taylor	Maggie,Deacon Davis
Burl Ives	Big Daddy
Jack Carson	Cooper
Judith Anderson	Big Mama
Madeleine Sherwood	Mae
Larry Gates	Dr. Baugh
Patty Ann Gerrity	Dixie Pollitt
Rusty Stevens	Sonny Pollitt,Sonny Pollitt
Hugh Corcoran	Buster Pollitt,Boy Pollitt
Deborah Miller	Trixie Pollitt
Vince Townsend Jr.	Lacey
Zelda Cleaver	Sookey
Tony Merrill	Party Guest,Party Guest
Jeane Wood	Party Guest
Bobby Johnson	Groom
Mildred Dunnock	Bit Part
Vince Townsend	Lacey - Servant
Al Pacino	Actor
Annette Bening	Actor
Jennifer Garner	Actor
Bobby Cannavale	Actor
Christopher Plummer	Actor
Katarina Cas	Actor
Giselle Eisenberg	Actor
Melissa Benoist	Actor
Josh Peck	Actor
Brian Thomas Smith	Actor
Scott Lawrence	Actor
Michael Patrick McGill	Actor
Kiff VandenHeuvel	Actor
Nick Offerman	Actor
Eric Schneider	Actor
Deacon Davis	Actor
André Previn	Composer
Charles Wolcott	Composer

Technical Credits

Richard Brooks

James Poe

Tennessee Williams

Richard Brooks	Director,Screenwriter,Screenwriter
James Poe	Screenwriter
Lawrence Weingarten	Producer
Lee LeBlanc	Special Effects
Tennessee Williams	Screenwriter
Wesley C. Miller	Sound Effects,Sound/Sound Designer
Norwood A. Fenton	Sound Effects
Van Allen James	Sound Effects
Dean Smith	Stunts
Dan Fogelman	Director

Editorial Reviews

Paul Newman's first big success came in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the 1958 film adaptation of playwright Tennessee Williams' claustrophobic drama. Newman got his first Oscar nomination, one of seven for the film, for his role as Brick Pollitt, the former football star, and Elizabeth Taylor was at her feline best as his dangerous wife, Maggie. Some of the more controversial elements of Williams' melodrama were downplayed in the film version so as not to ruffle the censors of the era. But it still remains a steamy, haunting piece of filmmaking under the direction of Richard Brooks. Remakes were executed for television in 1976 and 1984, the latter starring Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones.