The Young Philadelphians (The City Jungle) (1959)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(542 ratings)

Something of an urbanized, upscale version of Peyton Place, Vincent Sherman's The Young Philadelphians is a glossy adaptation of Richard Powell's bestselling novel The Philadelphians that revels in melodrama. The film opens strongly, with a lengthy 1924 prologue. Socialite Kate Lawrence (Diane… More Something of an urbanized, upscale version of Peyton Place, Vincent Sherman's The Young Philadelphians is a glossy adaptation of Richard Powell's bestselling novel The Philadelphians that revels in melodrama. The film opens strongly, with a lengthy 1924 prologue. Socialite Kate Lawrence (Diane Brewster) jilts impoverished lover Mike Flannagan (Brian Keith) in favor of wealthy William Lawrence (Adam West). On their wedding night, William drunkenly announces that he's impotent and commits suicide (this scene should fascinate Batman fans). Returning to Mike, Kate has a child by him, Tony. The boy grows up amid an atmosphere of dire poverty, which imparts him with a relentless drive for success. Flash forward to 1952: the out-of-wedlock kid, Tony, has grown up (now played by Paul Newman) and still doesn't know that he was an illegitimate child. Tony attends Princeton Law School, and falls in love with rich girl Joan Dickinson (Barbara Rush). Via the doings of Joan's father, wealthy Gilbert Dickinson (John Williams), Tony ends up taking a cushy job in a law office, at the expense of the relationship. The heartbroken Joan marries Carter Henley (Fred Eisley) on the rebound, who is conveniently killed in Korea. Tony then begins spending a prodigious amount of time with Carol Wharton (Alexis Smith), wife of attorney John Wharton (Otto Kruger), so that she will persuade John to find Tony a better job. Soon it's Tony's turn to fight in Korea; when he returns, the opportunity arises for Tony to redeem himself for his past misdeeds. Watch for Richard "Mel Cooley" Deacon in a bit as a hostile witness. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Vincent Sherman
Written By: James Gunn, Richard Powell
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: May 21, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Nov 14, 2006

Critic Reviews

A.H. Weiler, New York Times
The trials and tribulations of the rich, like those of the poor, can be undramatic.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Paul Newman gives a strong performance in Vincent Sherman's glossy melodrama about a young, cynical, ambitious man, born on the wrong side of the tracks but determined to change his lot.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Based on a very popular novel, the film is a competent but undistinguished adaptation that breathes only through the presence of its dynamic star.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Smart drama featuring Paul Newman in early role.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Classy soapsuds with a cast that's better than the movie.
, Film4
Newman, by then established as a big star, might have chosen better than this over-two-hour-long soap opera.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

A great cast, a great story, and great direction. It's a very interesting chronicle of early 50s mentality. You get to view it in two different forms, marriage and social classes. I think it's actually one of the first times the American lifestyle was threatened or… More
A great cast, a great story, and great direction. It's a very interesting chronicle of early 50s mentality. You get to view it in two different forms, marriage and social classes. I think it's actually one of the first times the American lifestyle was threatened or criticized. Paul Newman is amazing as always and Barbara Rush was a great co-star. It's a beautiful looking film that puts as much effort into the film making process as the story.
jay n

slows a little towards the end but a fine film with a great small performance by Alexis Smith.
Burger S

This might be the most enjoyable, interesting and intriguing Paul Newman movie I have ever seen. Sure, you have The Hustler, Butch Cassidy, The Sting etc, but this movie really had such a great story and outstanding actors and performances.