Spring is here and you might love to go out to a local park and have a picnic. For some, it can be a fun time to spend with the family. For playwright William Inge, it was an opportunity to explore the desires of middle America, be it new opportunities, escape or sex. Inge's 1953 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Picnic told the tale of how a single drifter's sudden appearance can inflame these desires. Hollywood studios were jockeying to get the screen rights to the show, which featured Paul Newman's Broadway debut. Columbia Pictures eventually won the battle, recruiting the inexperienced Joshua Logan, who directed the Broadway production, to direct the film. However, Logan and Columbia opted not to bring in any of the original leading cast, including Newman. Picnic, the 1955 film, still has a stunning cast and shows off some of the best actors from the 1950s, giving fine performances.
The setting for the story is a small Kansas town that is readying its Labor Day picnic. And then Hal Carter (William Holden) arrives. He's a self-obsessed drifter, a college football star who never amounted to anything. His plan is to meet up with fraternity friend Alan Benson (Cliff Robertson), whose father owns the grain elevators on the outskirts. Hal hopes to get a job, but first he runs into Mrs. Potts and the Owens family. Immediately, the Owens see that he is different. He finally meets Alan, whose girl is Madge Owens (Kim Novak). The two rekindle their friendship immediately, under the belief that they can pick up where they left off, despite the fact that things have changed. Hal has never been able to finish anything in his life and Alan has lived the peaceful, cliché existence of a rich man's son.
The Owens, Hal and Alan have their fun moments before the picnic, but when it starts, everything changes. Madge, who has always felt constricted by the label of “the pretty one,” begins to ponder her existence and takes longer glances at Hal. Millie (Susan Strasberg), Madge's younger sister who is the tomboy, struggles to be noticed and Hal is the only one who appreciates her talents. The catalyst of the film comes when Rosemary “the old maid schoolteacher” (Rosalind Russell) has a complete breakdown at the dance. It is among the most shocking scenes in '50s film, as a drunk Rosemary accuses Hal of bringing alcohol to an alcohol-free party, breaking the peace. Madge forgets her obligations and falls in love with Hal, who finally realizes just how dangerous his very presence is to the town.
Picnic is a surprisingly intricate film. Yes, on the surface, it's about how a single man can wreak havoc on a town. But each of its characters go through difficult arcs. Everyone in this film is faced with drastic choices. Some eventually embrace them, while others try to hold on to their stagnant lives as long as they can.
As great as Inge's original play and Daniel Taradash's script, the film is by no means perfect. Holden is far too old to play Hal convincingly (he was 37, Novak was 22). He is at his best at dramatic moments, but the scenes of him and young Cliff Robertson trying to be school buddies are tough to swallow. I do wonder how Kiss Me Deadly star Ralph Meeker, who played the role on Broadway, would have done in the film. Picnic also came far too early in Novak's career, so she seems to hold herself back. Although, that could just be part of the character, because by the end she shows the skills that made her Vertigo and Bell, Book & Candle roles so special.
One of the other fine aspects of the film is James Wong Howe's stunning cinematography. He takes full advantage of the wide Cinemascope frame, showing off the beauty of real Kansas locations. His work is at its best as he shows Novak and Holden dancing, lit by hanging lanterns. This film is so much better because of Logan's decision to film on location. A picnic populated by real people looks much better than one filled with extras.
Picnic is a time capsule, giving today's film fans a look at middle America in the mid-1950s, a society trying to deal with changes and pushing outsiders away. Holden, who would have celebrated his 94th birthday this week, might be more remembered for Sunset Boulevard and Network, but he is still at the top of his powers. Novak is caught learning on the job, but it's easy to see why she became a star. Those two pieces, plus Inge's intricate story, make Picnic a classic of its era.
The film, which was nominated for Best Picture, was recently released on Blu-ray by Twilight Time.