Review of Desire Under the Elms

There are several reasons why one should watch 'Desire Under The Elms.' One of those unforgettable titles, a juicy story, well performed on stage, elusive memories of a triumphant Broadway during the Roaring Twenties. This film captures a burst of vigor during the late nineteen-fifties and provides proof that there was an actor inside Anthony Perkins before he stepped through that door that led direct to a stream of embarrassingly bad 1960's melodramas that made a mockery of his appeal to women. Much of that had to be Sophia Loren. She seems to be conducting a quiet actor's workshop with young Tony while veteran Burl Ives stomps & storms through turgid waters. It is a fun film to watch with friends. One can match his performance to an appearance on 'What's My Line,' where he seemed to have a fine time teasing the panelist as a mystery guest. At this time Anthony was well known to New York audiences for his work on the Broadway stage. This show gave him a chance to share obscure jokes with panelists & moderator John Daly while a bemused nation looked on, their attention drawn to the fun of the game. It is actually startling to see the young Anthony Perkins radiant & hopeful and to contrast that image with his weathered visage in the horror movies he retreated to at the end of a sadly wasted career.