Written on the Wind

Written on the Wind
Original poster by Reynold Brown
Directed by	Douglas Sirk
Produced by	Albert Zugsmith
Written by	Robert Wilder
Screenplay by	George Zuckerman
Based on	Written on the Wind (1945 novel)
Starring	Rock Hudson Lauren Bacall Robert Stack Dorothy Malone
Music by	Frank Skinner Victor Young
Cinematography	Russell Metty
Edited by	Russell F. Schoengarth
Distributed by	Universal-International
Release date	December 1956 (1956-12)
Running time	99 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$4.4 million (US/ Canada rentals)

Written on the Wind is a 1956 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone.

The screenplay by George Zuckerman was based on Robert Wilder's 1945 novel of the same name, a thinly disguised account of the real-life scandal involving torch singer Libby Holman and her husband, tobacco heir Zachary Smith Reynolds. Zuckerman shifted the locale from North Carolina to Texas, made the source of the family wealth oil rather than tobacco, and changed all the character names.

Self-destructive, alcoholic nymphomaniac Marylee (Dorothy Malone) and her insecure, alcoholic playboy brother Kyle (Robert Stack) are the children of Texas oil baron Jasper Hadley (Robert Keith). Spoiled by their inherited wealth and crippled by their personal demons, neither is able to sustain a personal relationship.

Problems ensue after Kyle's impulsive marriage to New York City executive secretary Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall), who becomes a steadying influence to his life through the first few months after they meet. Kyle resumes drinking after being unsuccessful in fathering a baby. He turns against his childhood friend, Marylee's long-time infatuation, Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson), a geologist for the oil company. Kyle's anger and depression grow after the death of his father, who admires Mitch but is disgusted with the behavior of his two heirs.