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The Rose Tattoo (1955)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 7/24

RoseTat
7/24: The Rose Tattoo is pure Tennessee Williams.

Anna Magnani was actually foundering on her own during the first half. As soon as Burt Lancaster showed up, the show finally took off, making her look better. Hence, it's a strange movie with two eccentric characters. If the script called for them to give overdone performances, then so be it. That being said, the negative reviews pointing out this aspect are completely unwarranted.

Tennessee Williams wrote the play with Anna Magnani in mind. She didn't want to do it on Broadway due to not knowing English well enough. So, Maureen Stapleton ended up getting the role. When Tennessee Williams sold the film rights to producer Hal B. Wallis, his condition was that Anna Magnani must star in it. The rest was history with eight Oscar nominations, winning three with one for Anna Magnani. I'm only surprised Burt Lancaster wasn't nominated because he never acted like that before or ever since then.

They say The Rose Tattoo takes place in Louisiana, and there are references to New Orleans. I find that preposterous. There's nothing South about it. All I see is Key West which is exactly where they shot the movie in. It would be better if they went that way plus "Miami" instead of "New Orleans."

All in all, The Rose Tattoo is an uneven, quizzical movie, but it has charm.