Emasculated but still very good Hollywood version of Tennessee Williams' play, which grips and entertains constantly - possibly Richard Brooks' best work as director. Paul Newman, consistently excellent at this stage of his career, is just right as the aspiring actor whose ways with women get him into trouble, and Geraldine Page theatrical, but still very fine, as the fading, drug-addicted actress with whom he becomes involved. 'Throw me an ordinary cigarette,' she cackles at one stage. 'One of the kind that simply give you cancer.' Ed Begley thunders through the plum role of the corrupt town boss, and Rip Torn gets more out of the part of the vicious son than seems written into it. Mildred Dunnock also gives a telling portrayal and only Shirley Knight, in the weakest of the main parts, fails to register as a clearly defined screen character.

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