The Young Philadelphians (The City Jungle) (1959)
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67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(563 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… 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
- Directed By
- Vincent Sherman
- Written By
- James Gunn, Richard Powell
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 21, 1959 Wide
Critic Reviews
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A.H. Weiler, New York Times
The trials and tribulations of the rich, like those of the poor, can be undramatic.
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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.
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, 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.
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Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Smart drama featuring Paul Newman in early role.
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Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Classy soapsuds with a cast that's better than the movie.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Paul Newman
as Tony Lawrence
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Barbara Rush
as Joan Dickinson
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Alexis Smith
as Carol Wharton
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Brian Keith
as Mike Flannagan
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Diane Brewster
as Kate Lawrence
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Billie Burke
as Mrs. J. Arthur Allen
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John Williams (II)
as Gilbert Dickinson
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Robert Vaughn
as Chester Gwynn
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Otto Kruger
as John M. Wharton
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Paul Picerni
as Louis Donetti
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Robert Douglas
as Morton Stearnes
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Frank Conroy
as Dr. Stearnes
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Adam West
as William Lawrence
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Fred [Anthony] Eisley
as Carter Henry
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Richard Deacon
as George Archibald
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Isobel Elsom
as Mrs. Lawrence
