Hot Spell (1958)

 

 

A housewife is doing her best to keep her family together as it's slowly falling apart, a fact she's trying to ignore.

 

White-knuckled family drama and tragedy almost overdoes it, but is saved thanks to the brilliant cast. 

Halliwell*: "Overwrought domestic drama slipping perilously close to farce at times, but a good theatrical vehicle for its stars."

Maltin**: "Well-acted but dated drama...MacLaine shines as their daughter."

Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)

An emotionally remote recovering alcoholic and his dowdy, unambitious wife face a personal crisis when they take in an attractive lodger.

Quite effective and intense adaptation of a stage marriage drama with a good cast, but Shirley Booth's superb performance is the central point of interest.

Halliwell*: "Stagey but theatrically effective transcription of a popular domestic drama, with one outstanding performance."

Maltin***1/2: "William Inge play is emotional tour de force..."