The Young Philadelphians
| The Young Philadelphians | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Vincent Sherman |
| Produced by | James Gunn |
| Screenplay by | James Gunn |
| Based on |
The Philadelphian 1956 novel by Richard P. Powell |
| Starring |
Paul Newman Barbara Rush Alexis Smith Robert Vaughn |
| Music by | Ernest Gold |
| Cinematography | Harry Stradling |
| Edited by | William H. Ziegler |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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136 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.8 million (est. US/ Canada rentals) |
The Young Philadelphians is a 1959 drama film starring Paul Newman, Barbara Rush, Robert Vaughn and Alexis Smith, and directed by Vincent Sherman. The film is based on the 1956 novel, The Philadelphian, by Richard P. Powell.
Newlywed Kate Judson Lawrence (Diane Brewster) is distraught to discover on her wedding night that her upper-class Philadelphia Main Line husband, William Lawrence III (Adam West), is unable to consummate their marriage for unspecified reasons. After he leaves her on that night, she seeks comfort from longtime working-class friend Mike Flanagan (Brian Keith). The next day, Kate learns that William died in a car wreck. She gives birth to a son, Anthony Judson "Tony" Lawrence, and raises him in genteel poverty.
Years pass. Tony (Paul Newman) becomes a smart, ambitious college student, working his way through school as a construction worker with his sights on becoming a lawyer. One day, he encounters socialite Joan Dickinson (Barbara Rush) when she has a minor car accident. They soon fall in love, though Joan is expected by nearly everyone in her lofty social circle to marry millionaire Carter Henry (Anthony Eisley). Their mutual friend, Chester "Chet" Gwynn (Robert Vaughn), warns her not to let social pressure separate her from the one she loves, as it did him.
Tony persuades her to elope. However, Joan's father Gilbert Dickinson (John Williams) persuades Tony to postpone the wedding by offering him invaluable career help and a job at the highly esteemed law firm of which he is a full partner. Believing Tony has allowed himself to be bought, a disillusioned Joan sails to Europe. When Carter follows her, she marries him. Devastated and angry, Tony realizes that Joan's father wanted her to marry into another wealthy family, and only offered Tony help with his career in the hope of breaking them up. Tony then devotes himself to working his way up the social ladder and learning the game of the wealthy.
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Wikipedia