Parrish (1961)

50% of users liked it
(68 ratings)

A scenic, tobacco-road soap opera by director Delmar Daves, known more for his westerns, Parrish features Troy Donahue in the eponymous title role. Parrish's mother Ellen (Claudette Colbert in her last movie role) happens to marry one of two competing tobacco growers in the Connecticut River Valley.… More A scenic, tobacco-road soap opera by director Delmar Daves, known more for his westerns, Parrish features Troy Donahue in the eponymous title role. Parrish's mother Ellen (Claudette Colbert in her last movie role) happens to marry one of two competing tobacco growers in the Connecticut River Valley. Her new husband and Parrish's stepfather Judd Raike (a snarling Karl Malden) drums the tobacco business into Parrish, alienating him in the bargain. The lad is soon romancing three different women: Judd's daughter Paige (Sharon Hugeny), the daughter of Judd's arch-rival, and a wanton woman of the tobacco fields. Now all that remains is for the romance and the rivalry to shake down into the winners and losers. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Delmer Daves
Written By: Delmer Daves
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: May 4, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Jan 27, 2009

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This Peyton Place meets Tobacco Road pic might be scenic, but its dialogue is risible and its dreary story line is as noxious as smoking.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A schmaltzy family melodrama starring the handsome Troy Donahue at the height of his popularity as a heartthrob.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Overbaked melodrama with a wooden leading man. The trimmings are sumptuous but the story is trite and except for old pros Claudette Colbert, who looks great and is beautifully gowned, and Dean Jagger the acting is strictly dinner theatre quality. Karl Malden deserves special mention… More
Overbaked melodrama with a wooden leading man. The trimmings are sumptuous but the story is trite and except for old pros Claudette Colbert, who looks great and is beautifully gowned, and Dean Jagger the acting is strictly dinner theatre quality. Karl Malden deserves special mention for offering a performance so over the top that its a wonder there was any scenery left after he gets done chewing on it.

Cast

            Troy Donahue as Parrish McLean

            Claudette Colbert as Ellen McLean

            Karl Malden as Judd Raike

            Dean Jagger as Sala Post

            Connie Stevens as Lucy

            Diane McBain as Alison Post

            Sharon Hugueny as Paige Raike

            Dub Taylor as Telte Howie

            Hampton Fancher as Edgar Raike

            David Knapp as Wiley Raike

            Saundra Edwards as Evaline Raike

            Sylvia Miles as Eileen

            Bibi Osterwald as Rosie

            Madeleine Sherwood as Addie

            Hayden Rorke as Tom Weldon

            Frank Campanella as Foreman

            Terry Carter as Cartwright

            Donald Dillaway as Max Maine

            Wade Dumas as Maples

            Martin Eric as Mr. Gilliam

            Gertrude Flynn as Miss Daly

            Vincent Gardenia as Bit

            House Jameson as Oermeyer

            Alfonso Marshall as Gladstone

            John McGovern as Skipper

            Karen Norris as Operator

            Carroll O'Connor as Firechief

            Ford Rainey as John Donati

            Michael Sean as Bellhop

            Edgar Stehli as Tully

            Hope Summers as Mary Howie

            Sara Taft as Gramma

            John Barracudo as Willie

            Irene Windust as Maizie Weldon
See full cast