1958 colouring of the Paulette Goddard 1949 vehicle tells the story of an outcast daughter of an African-American extended family lured back into their dysfunctional orbit as a potential suitor to a well-to-do visitor, so the greedy children and their spouses can take advantage of his wealth.
Californian counter-culture collides with conservative Southern attitudes as Kitt (hired for her acting, not singing here) stars as the promiscuous, free-spirited but emotionally aloof Anna, Davis plays her sea-faring sometime boyfriend and Ingram plays the often delirious patriarch reluctant to let his wayward daughter back into the home, for the shame it will bring to the family. Amongst the rest of the capable cast, O'Neal stands out as the antique-dealing, metaphor-mixing architect of the scheme, whilst Cooley is notable as the responsible daughter-in-law whose moral barometer rises above the antics of her money hungry in-laws.
Sharp, witty dialogue is regularly laugh out loud funny (e.g. 'you'd only be cheapening yourself' met by 'I'm not too expensive anyway') delivered by a tight ensemble of seasoned stage performers who ply their trade with immaculate timing and precision. Sometimes difficult to tell if it's a dark comedy or true tragedy, but the bittersweet ending balances out any dramatic unevenness, leaving a memorable, lasting impression.
Californian counter-culture collides with conservative Southern attitudes as Kitt (hired for her acting, not singing here) stars as the promiscuous, free-spirited but emotionally aloof Anna, Davis plays her sea-faring sometime boyfriend and Ingram plays the often delirious patriarch reluctant to let his wayward daughter back into the home, for the shame it will bring to the family. Amongst the rest of the capable cast, O'Neal stands out as the antique-dealing, metaphor-mixing architect of the scheme, whilst Cooley is notable as the responsible daughter-in-law whose moral barometer rises above the antics of her money hungry in-laws.
Sharp, witty dialogue is regularly laugh out loud funny (e.g. 'you'd only be cheapening yourself' met by 'I'm not too expensive anyway') delivered by a tight ensemble of seasoned stage performers who ply their trade with immaculate timing and precision. Sometimes difficult to tell if it's a dark comedy or true tragedy, but the bittersweet ending balances out any dramatic unevenness, leaving a memorable, lasting impression.