FILM REVIEWS

Stripper, The (1963) B-

Franklin J. Schaffner made his feature directorial debut with this grim tale of an aspiring actress on the verge of a sharp decline, featuring Oscar-winner Joanne Woodward in another skillful and compelling performance.

The scenario by Meade Roberts is an adaptation of William Inge’s play, “Ä Loss of Roses,” in which Warren Beatty acted on stage.

Woodward plays Lila Green, the former beauty queen and would-be actress living in a small Kansas, where she gets stranded and feeling emotionally stifled when her job falls apart.

Her friend Helen (Clair Trevor), for whom she used to be a baby-sitter, comes to the rescue. Helen’s household includes only one other person, her adult son Kenny (Richard Beymer). Kenny’s fascination with the older Lila leads to a brief one-night stand.

Kenny gets cold feet when it comes to commitment, spurring Lila to go out looking for work. However, her sleazy boyfriend-manager Ricky suggests stripping, and Lila finds herself on the brink of a downhill slide.

Gypsy Rose Lee makes a cameo appearance in the film.

Oscar Nominations: 1

Costume design (black and white): Travilla

Oscar Awards: None

Oscar Context:

The winner of the Costume Design Oscar was Italian Piero Gherardi for Fellini’s “81/2.”

Credits

Running time: 95 Minutes.

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.

Twentieth Century Fox

Cast

Joanne Woodward as Lila Green

Richard Beymer as Kenny Baird

Claire Trevor as Helen Baird

Carol Lynley as Miriam Caswell

Robert Webber as Ricky Powers

Louis Nye as Ronnie Cavendish

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