Written on the Wind Overview:

Written on the Wind (1956) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Douglas Sirk and produced by Albert Zugsmith.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Robert Wilder published in 1946.

SYNOPSIS

The most exaggerated (and absorbing) of Sirk's melodramas depicts the corrupt souls of a Texas oil dynasty. Hudson plays the calm, moral center of a familial storm as the nearly adopted favorite son of clan leader Keith. The domineering father trusts geologist Hudson more than his weak son Stack and his sex-obsessed daughter Malone (in a slinky, wildly erotic performance). When Hudson and Stack meet ad exec Bacall on a trip to New York, she falls for Stack's easy charm and is reluctantly dazzled by his wealth, though she recognizes Hudson's strength and character. The family settles into an uneasy peace until Malone's flagrant catting around brings a tragic final showdown. Sirk painted '50s American materialistic dreams in vibrant colors, but also deep shadow, finding the underlying emptiness within the gaudy display.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1956 --- Ceremony Number 29 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorRobert StackNominated
Best Supporting ActressDorothy MaloneWon
Best Music - SongMusic by Victor Young; Lyrics by Sammy CahnNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Review: Written on the Wind (1956)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 19, 2018 From 4 Star Films

Douglas Sirk’s films are always lovely to look at, almost to the point of making you sick. The panoramas?swell with color. They’re too perfect. The sets are gaudy — the cars the same — to?the point?of?almost?being?unsightly in their over the top artificiality. Try to find any... Read full article


DOUBLE BILL #4 All That Heaven Allows (1955) and Written on the Wind (1956)

By Carol Martinheira on Jul 14, 2017 From The Old Hollywood Garden

DOUBLE BILL #4 All That Heaven Allows (1955) and Written on the Wind (1956) On July 14, 2017 By CarolIn Uncategorized Boy, was Douglas Sirk great! I?ve always admired how unapologetically soppy and melodramatic his films were. He was probably the most underrated and mi... Read full article


Written on the Wind (1956)

By Beatrice on May 19, 2016 From Flickers in Time

Written on the Wind Directed by Douglas Sirk Written by George Zuckerman based on a novel by Robert Wilder 1956/USA Universal International Pictures Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #321 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Marylee Hadley: I’m filthy – period! Dorothy Malone matche... Read full article


WRITTEN ON THE WIND ( 1956 )

By Crystal Kalyana on Sep 20, 2015 From In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood

STAR OF THE MONTH: LAUREN BACALL. When Douglas Sirk is credited to a production you can guarantee that your in for a treat. Sirk who displayed prolific detail in capturing strong emotions abounded with people that were often plagued with mental illness or alcoholism problems highly excelled in the ... Read full article


WRITTEN ON THE WIND ( 1957 )

By Theresa Brown on Sep 16, 2015 From CineMaven's Essays from the Couch

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN BACALL When Lauren Bacall looks at you, or gives you her side-eye glance, brothers and sisters…you??are? done! Her eyes are scorching laser beams, slicing through you like butter. Her gravelly voice can be commanding, withering or mesmerizingly sultry. When she died last... Read full article


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Quotes from

Kyle Hadley: I'll kill him!
Marylee Hadley: A whiskey bottle's about all you'd kill.


Marylee Hadley: That was no lady. That was your wife.
Kyle Hadley: Where are they going?
Marylee Hadley: I don't know. Where would you take your best friends wife?
Kyle Hadley: You're a real sweet kid.
Marylee Hadley: Now, be nice to me brother. One morning, we'll wake up and be all alone together.


Marylee Hadley: But you don't have to take my word for anything. Just try keeping your head clear and your eyes open.
Kyle Hadley: Why should you care? You've never cared about me.
Marylee Hadley: ...Or your wife.
Kyle Hadley: Why are you putting your two cents in?
Marylee Hadley: Only because of Mitch. Because I've never had him. And your wife has.
[Kyle slaps her]


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Facts about

One of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's favorite films; he referenced it frequently in his own work.
Due to the Hay's Code, Kyle Hadley's homosexuality could not be mentioned directly in the movie.
Title song is sung by The Four Aces. The song is featured very prominently, and the group is fully credited.
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Best Supporting Actress Oscar 1956






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Also directed by Douglas Sirk




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Also produced by Albert Zugsmith




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