''Teresa'' is a 1951 American romantic

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by

Fred Zinnemann Alfred ''Fred'' Zinnemann (April 29, 1907 – March 14, 1997) was an Austrian Empire-born American film director. He won four Academy Awards for directing and producing films in various genres, including thrillers, westerns, film noir and pla ...

and starring Pier Angeli and

John Ericson John Ericson (sometimes spelled Erickson; September 25, 1926 – May 3, 2020) was a German-American film and television actor known primarily for his co-star role with actress Anne Francis on the ABC television series '' Honey West'' in the 196 ...

. The film's screenplay was written by Stewart Stern based on a story he wrote with Alfred Hayes, for which they were nominated for an

Academy Award for Best Story The Academy Award for Best Story was an Academy Award given from the beginning of the Academy Awards until 1956. This award can be a source of confusion for modern audiences, given its co-existence with the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenpl ...

Plot

Phillip Cass, a sensitive young man, is saddled with a mother from hell. While fighting in Italy during World War II, he marries a sweet, young Italian woman (Pier Angeli) who might be able to change his life and satisfy his desire to be loved. Readjustment proves difficult as the young couple have to share a New York apartment with his parents and sister, while Philip feels a failure at menial jobs. The birth of a baby finally gives the couple new hope.

Cast

* Pier Angeli as Teresa Russo *

as Philip Cass *

Patricia Collinge Eileen Cecilia "Patricia" Collinge (September 20, 1892 – April 10, 1974) was an Irish-American actress and writer. She was best known for her stage appearances, as well as her roles in the films '' The Little Foxes'' (1941) and '' Shadow of a ...

as Mrs. Clara Cass * Richard Bishop as Mr. Cass *

Peggy Ann Garner Peggy Ann Garner (February 3, 1932 – October 16, 1984) was an American child actress. As a child actress, Garner had her first film role in 1938. At the 18th Academy Awards, Garner won the Academy Juvenile Award, recognizing her body of c ...

as Susan Cass *

Ralph Meeker Ralph Meeker (born Ralph Rathgeber; November 21, 1920 August 5, 1988) was an American film, stage, and television actor. He first rose to prominence for his roles in the Broadway productions of '' Mister Roberts'' (1948–1951) and ''Picnic'' ...

as Sgt. Dobbs * Bill Mauldin as Grissom *

Ave Ninchi Ave Maria Ninchi (14 December 1914 – 10 November 1997) was an Italian supporting actress who played character roles on stage, television, and in over 98 feature films that included ''Tomorrow Is Too Late'' (1949) and Louis Malle's ''Murmur ...

as Teresa's Mother *

Edward Binns Edward Binns (September 12, 1916 – December 4, 1990) was an American actor. He had a wide-spanning career in film and television, often portraying competent, hard working and purposeful characters in his various roles. He is best known for hi ...

as Sgt. Brown * Rod Steiger as Frank *

Aldo Silvani Aldo Silvani (21 January 1891 – 12 November 1964) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in more than 110 films between 1934 and 1964. He was born in Turin, Italy and died in Milan, Italy. Selected filmography * '' Cardinal Lambertini'' ...

as Professor Crocce * Tommy Lewis as Walter *

Franco Interlenghi Franco Interlenghi (29 October 1931 – 10 September 2015) was an Italian actor. He made his acting debut at 15 in Vittorio De Sica's 1946 Neorealist film ''Sciuscià''. He has worked with great directors such as Alessandro Blasetti in '' Fab ...

as Mario *

Lee Marvin Lee Marvin (born Lamont Waltman Marvin Jr.; February 19, 1924August 29, 1987) was an American film and television actor. Known for his bass voice and premature white hair, he is best remembered for playing hardboiled "tough guy" characters. Alt ...

as G.I. (uncredited)

Reception

According to MGM records, the film made $743,000 in the United States and Canada, and $1,004,000 elsewhere, recording a profit of $421,000.

References

External links

* * * * 1951 films 1951 romantic drama films American romantic drama films American black-and-white films Films directed by Fred Zinnemann Films set in Italy Films set in New York City Italian Campaign of World War II films Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films scored by Louis Applebaum Films with screenplays by Stewart Stern 1950s English-language films 1950s American films {{1950s-drama-film-stub