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Written on the Wind

  • 19561956
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Written on the Wind (1956)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer2:46
1 Video
33 Photos
  • Drama

Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister.Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister.Alcoholic playboy Kyle Hadley marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by Kyle's nymphomaniac sister.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Douglas Sirk
  • Writers
    • George Zuckerman(screenplay)
    • Robert Wilder(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Rock Hudson
    • Lauren Bacall
    • Robert Stack
Top credits
  • Director
    • Douglas Sirk
  • Writers
    • George Zuckerman(screenplay)
    • Robert Wilder(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Rock Hudson
    • Lauren Bacall
    • Robert Stack
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 101User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:46
    Official Trailer

    Photos33

    Lauren Bacall and Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, and Robert Stack in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall and Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Rock Hudson and Dorothy Malone in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall and Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Dorothy Malone in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, and Robert Stack in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Dorothy Malone in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, Robert Keith, and Robert Stack in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, Carl Christian, and Robert Stack in Written on the Wind (1956)
    Lauren Bacall and Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rock Hudson
    Rock Hudson
    • Mitch Wayneas Mitch Wayne
    Lauren Bacall
    Lauren Bacall
    • Lucy Moore Hadleyas Lucy Moore Hadley
    Robert Stack
    Robert Stack
    • Kyle Hadleyas Kyle Hadley
    Dorothy Malone
    Dorothy Malone
    • Marylee Hadleyas Marylee Hadley
    Robert Keith
    Robert Keith
    • Jasper Hadleyas Jasper Hadley
    Grant Williams
    Grant Williams
    • Biff Mileyas Biff Miley
    Robert J. Wilke
    Robert J. Wilke
    • Dan Willisas Dan Willis
    Edward Platt
    Edward Platt
    • Doctor Paul Cochraneas Doctor Paul Cochrane
    • (as Edward C. Platt)
    Harry Shannon
    Harry Shannon
    • Hoak Wayneas Hoak Wayne
    John Larch
    John Larch
    • Roy Carteras Roy Carter
    Joseph Granby
    • R.J. Courtneyas R.J. Courtney
    Roy Glenn
    Roy Glenn
    • Samas Sam
    Maidie Norman
    Maidie Norman
    • Berthaas Bertha
    William Schallert
    William Schallert
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Joanne Jordan
    • Brunetteas Brunette
    Dani Crayne
    Dani Crayne
    • Blondeas Blonde
    Dorothy Porter
    • Secretaryas Secretary
    Benjie Bancroft
    • Courtroom Spectatoras Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Douglas Sirk
    • Writers
      • George Zuckerman(screenplay)
      • Robert Wilder(based on the novel by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    On 24 October 1955, the hard-work geologist of the Hadley Oil Company Mitch Wayne meets the executive secretary Lucy Moore in the office of her boss Bill Ryan in New York and invites her to go to a conference with the alcoholic playboy and son of a tycoon Kyle Hadley. On the way of the meeting, he confesses that they had traveled from Houston to New York to satisfy the wish of the reckless Kyle, who is his best friend since their childhood, of eating a sandwich from club 21 and the meeting was just a pretext to Kyle's father Jasper Hadley. Mitch and Kyle immediately fall in love for Lucy, and Kyle unsuccessfully uses his money to impress Lucy; then he opens his heart and proposes Lucy. They get married and travel to Acapulco and the insecure Kyle stops drinking. Meanwhile, Kyle's sister Marylee is an easy woman and has a non-corresponded crush on Mitch that sees her as a sister. One year later, Kyle discovers that he has a problem and might be sterile and starts drinking again. The jealous Marylee poisons Kyle telling that his wife and Mitch are having a love affair. When Lucy finds that she is pregnant, Kyle believes that the baby belongs to Mitch and his mistrust leads to a tragedy. —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • melodrama
    • alcoholic
    • revenge
    • millionaire
    • texas
    • 231 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • This woman in his arms was now the wife of the man he called his best friend!
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite Rock Hudson's pleasant camaraderie with everyone on the set and his apparent happiness in his marriage, Dorothy Malone said she found him to be somewhat of a loner who hid his feelings of sadness and insecurity. Nevertheless, she developed a bond with him that helped her through moments of tension on the set. "Rock gave me that sense of security whenever I worked with him."
    • Goofs
      Although set in Texas, all cars in the film have clearly visible California plates.
    • Quotes

      Kyle Hadley: You're a filthy liar.

      Marylee Hadley: I'm filthy - period!

    • Connections
      Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Written on the Wind
      Music Victor Young

      Lyrics Sammy Cahn

      Sung by The Four Aces

    User reviews101

    Review
    Top review
    Top notch melodrama that engages despite existing in a sort of Dallas/Dynasty reality
    Mitch Wayne comes from a working family, but his childhood friendship with the children of oil magnate Hadley sees him continuing within the family and the family business as an adult. Kyle is his best friend, but is a spoilt playboy as a result of his money and privilege. When the two meet Lucy, they both fall for her but, as usual, it is Kyle that gets her attention and quickly marries her. Lucy joins the family home to find a spiteful and spoilt daughter, Marylee, who dislikes her but longs for the childish affection she still holds for Mitch. Against a background of money and privilege, tensions and emotions build between the friends and family.

    Normally when I call something melodramatic it is a criticism but for those looking for melodrama that is well delivered then often Douglas Sirk is as good a place to look as any. This film is a fine example but I'll be the first to admit that the plot summary on paper does make it sound like the soapiest load of daytime TV filler ever! However the delivery is everything and the film succeeds in making the story and characters engaging. It is hard to describe well, but the story doesn't really happen in reality but rather in a sort of melodrama world of high emotions and I didn't expect it to draw me in. Part of the reason it did was down to Sirk's writing and direction. He creates this convincing world where everyone fits in and it all seems real.

    Of course of the biggest factors is the cast, for it is starry and impressive. I've never been that taken by Hudson but he is a sturdy and manly lead actor here, even if he has the less showy material to work with. Bacall is strong and controls a great deal of the emotional core of the film. The main melodramatic flair comes from two other good performances. It was hard for me to get past the Stack I know from Airplane but he is very good here and descends well across the film. Likewise Malone plays her character well. As with many Sirk films, the cinematography, the look, of the film is important and this one expertly captures the feel of the fifties but doesn't look dated in a bad way – it still feels quite fresh and lively.

    Overall this is a melodrama and if the very thought of that puts you off then you'd best avoid it. However it is a fine story that engages well even as it exists above reality. The cast are impressive with their material and are a big part of making it convincing and engaging.
    helpful•14
    0
    • bob the moo
    • Jul 5, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1956 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zapisano u vetru
    • Filming locations
      • Colonial Mansion, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,163
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

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