Emotions are ignited among the complacent townsfolk when a handsome drifter arrives in a small Kansas community on the morning of the Labor Day picnic.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 12 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| William Holden | ... |
Hal Carter
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| Kim Novak | ... |
Madge Owens
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| Betty Field | ... |
Flo Owens
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| Susan Strasberg | ... |
Millie Owens
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| Cliff Robertson | ... |
Alan Benson
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| Arthur O'Connell | ... |
Howard Bevans
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| Verna Felton | ... |
Helen Potts
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| Reta Shaw | ... |
Irma Kronkite
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| Nick Adams | ... |
Bomber
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| Raymond Bailey | ... |
Mr. Benson
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| Elizabeth Wilson | ... |
Christine Schoenwalder
(as Elizabeth W. Wilson)
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| Rosalind Russell | ... |
Rosemary the Schoolteacher
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Warren Frederick Adams | ... |
Stranger (uncredited)
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Carle E. Baker | ... |
Grain Elevator Worker (uncredited)
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George E. Bemis | ... |
Neighbor (uncredited)
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Steve Benton | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Harold A. Beyer | ... |
Chamber of Commerce Member (uncredited)
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Paul R. Cochran | ... |
Chamber of Commerce Member (uncredited)
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Adlai Zeph Fisher | ... |
Chamber of Commerce Member (uncredited)
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| Sam Gill | ... |
Spectator at Swimming Exhibition (uncredited)
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| Don C. Harvey | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Flomanita Jackson | ... |
Committeewoman (uncredited)
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| Shirley Knight | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Phyllis Newman | ... |
Juanita Badger - Cool Girl (uncredited)
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Henry Pagueo | ... |
Mayor (uncredited)
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Harry Sherman Schall | ... |
Chamber of Commerce Member (uncredited)
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Floyd Steinbeck | ... |
Chamber of Commerce Member (uncredited)
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Wayne R. Sullivan | ... |
Foreman (uncredited)
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Henry P. Watson | ... |
Chamber of Commerce President (uncredited)
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Abraham Weinlood | ... |
Trainman - Before Opening Credits (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Joshua Logan | ||
Written by
| Daniel Taradash | ... | (screen play by) |
| William Inge | ... | (based upon play "Picnic" by) |
Produced by
| Fred Kohlmar | ... | producer |
Music by
| George Duning | ||
Cinematography by
| James Wong Howe | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| William A. Lyon | ||
| Charles Nelson | ||
Editorial Department
| Henri Jaffa | ... | color consultant: Technicolor |
| Ralph James Hall | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Jo Mielziner | ||
Art Direction by
| William Flannery | ||
Set Decoration by
| Robert Priestley | ||
Costume Design by
| Jean Louis | ... | (gowns) |
Makeup Department
| Clay Campbell | ... | makeup artist |
| Helen Hunt | ... | hair stylist |
| Robert J. Schiffer | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Carter De Haven Jr. | ... | assistant director (as Carter DeHaven Jr.) |
Sound Department
| George Cooper | ... | sound |
| John P. Livadary | ... | recording supervisor (as John Livadary) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Ray Cory | ... | second unit photography |
| Val O'Malley | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Haskell Wexler | ... | second unit camera operator (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Fred Karger | ... | music advisor |
| Arthur Morton | ... | orchestrator |
| Morris Stoloff | ... | conductor |
| Else Blangsted | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| Bob Thompson | ... | music arranger (uncredited) |
| Johnny Williams | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Joshua Logan | ... | produced on the stage by |
| Miriam Nelson | ... | choreographer (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures (presents)
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1955) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures of Canada (1955) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures Corporation (1956) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures of Argentina (1956) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Kamera (1956) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Columbia C.E.I.A.D. (1956) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Columbia Film (1956) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Columbia Film-Verleih (1956) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Columbia Film-Verleih (1956) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Columbia International Films (1956) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures (1961) (United States) (theatrical) (reissue)
- TF1 (1975) (France) (tv) (dubbed version) (monochrome broadcast)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (France) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1988) (Australia) (video)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Pioneer Entertainment (1992) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Italy) (VHS)
- Action Gitanes (1997) (France) (theatrical) (re-issue)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (2006) (France) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (DVD) (The Kim Novak Collection)
- Twilight Time (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Carlotta Films (2017) (France) (Blu-ray)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2017) (France) (DVD)
- Eureka Entertainment (2019) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Artaire Films (2020) (Spain) (VOD)
- Columbia Pictures (1956) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Epoca (Argentina) (VHS)
- NHK-BS2 (1990) (Japan) (tv)
- Sony Pictures Releasing (2005) (Japan) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2022) (Australia) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Sunset Gower Studios (sound stages)
- Theatre Guild (produced on the stage by)
- Ultra Film Synchron (German dubbing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
On the morning of a small-town Labor Day picnic, drifter Hal Carter (William Holden) blows into town to visit an old fraternity buddy (Alan Benson) who also happens to be the son of the richest man in town. Hal is an egocentric braggart--all potential and no accomplishment. He meets up with Madge Owens, the town beauty queen, who is Alan Benson's girlfriend.
Written by Erik L. Ellis |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Electrically attracted to each other...Overwhelmingly engulfed by it...Guiltily in love! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | William Holden almost turned down the film because he thought he was too old at 37 to play Hal Carter. See more » |
| Goofs | When Hal hops a freight train to Tulsa, he jumps onto a boxcar that has its door shut. He climbs the ladder and stands on top to wave to Madge. In this long shot, the boxcar door is now open. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in In Search of Kim Novak (1964). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Ain't She Sweet? See more » |
| Quotes |
Millie Owens:
When I graduate from college I'm going to New York, and write novels that'll shock people right out of their senses. I'm never gonna fall in love. Not me! I'm not gonna live in some jerkwater town and marry some ornery guy and raise some grimy kids. But just because I'm a dope doesn't mean you have to be. Madge Owens: Millie. Millie Owens: Go with him, Madge. Madge Owens: Millie? Millie Owens: For once in your life, do something right. See more » |