Come see a classic at the Chalfonte – By Tom Sims, Executive Director of the Cape May Film Society
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Maggie the cat is alive! Well, she will be this Labor Day weekend when the Cape May Film Society and the Chalfonte Hotel present Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the Tennessee Williams Pulitzer Prize-winning classic brought to the screen originally in 1958. Consider this a build-up to our feature presentation, namely the Cape May Film Festival, hosted exclusively at the newly-renovated Chalfonte Hotel.
The festival’s new home comes complete with a new time slot as well. We have moved it to the month of October (22-24) this year. We are currently reviewing film submissions to determine which will be this year’s official selections. This will be our 10th film festival, yet another reason to celebrate. Stay tuned to learn about surprise guests, special presentations, and great parties and socials.
Nominated for six Academy Awards, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was the fifth play written by Williams to hit the big screen. At the center of the film is a trouble couple played by Paul Newman (Brick) and Elizabeth Taylor (Maggie). Many say Taylor has never been sexier than in her role as “the cat,” while Newman resists her advances throughout the film. The two were both nominated for an Oscar.
This story is filled with passion and desire (mostly unfulfilled) – and this despite the fact that more difficult themes of homosexuality were excluded from the film version due to the Hays Code (a set of censure rules for movies which were still in effect in the 1950s). The play has been through several revivals, and TV has brought some remakes to the small screen – but the 1958 version stands out as the premiere adaptation.
FREE PASS TRIVIA! A new feature we’ll promote periodically here in the movie column. We’ll ask readers to respond to our email address with trivia questions in response to a trivia question. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was based on a play by Tennessee Williams. For a free weekend pass to this year’s Cape May Film Festival, be the first to email capemayfilm@hotmail.com with the title for one other films based on a play by Williams! For two free passes, be the first one to name at least five of the Williams’ plays adapted for the big screen. No sneaking around on Google or IMDB.com!
The film is a Chalfonte staff favorite, mainly selected because of how it reflects a southern style the hotel seeks to emulate. Join us for this special program on Sunday, September 5 at 8:00pm. The event is free with donations accepted to further the work of the film society in educational outreach to students, at-risk youth, and adult learners.
