Ava et Elizabeth

  On this day in 1958 (March 12th) production began on one of the best-remembered films of the 20th century---Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Burl Ives and directed by Richard Brooks.  The adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, while squeaky-clean compared to the original work, was nonetheless controversial in 1950s America. Tennessee Williams himself was said to have been extremely disappointed in the adaptation, as the Hays Code completely erased the homosexuality that played an important role in the original, as well as it's open critique of homophobia and sexism. Paul Newman later said he was disappointed by the film's censorship as well. Despite the sanitation, the film still manages to shine light on topics that were not commonly talked about at the time: alcoholism, family issues, a woman's sexual desire, and facing mortality. An overall theme is mendacity, and it can be seen as a critique of Southern United States society, with it's strict rules and expectations that put pressure on familial bonds and leads to the characters' contempt for each other as well as guilt and self-loathing.

  The performances from the lead actors (Newman, Taylor, Ives) are considered to be the best of their careers, and the supporting actors are noted for their great performances as well. The ensemble cast is frequently considered among the best in cinema history. The film was a big success at the box office and was critically acclaimed, receiving several Oscar nominations, including Best Actor (Newman), Best Actress (Taylor) and Best Director (Brooks), as well as Cinematography, Color, and Writing, although it won none. It's commonly thought that the film was simply too controversial for the Academy voters and the actors were considered to have been robbed of their well-deserved Oscars.