O Erro de Susan Slade

Sincere, sometimes campy drama from director Delmer Daves (sort of the stepchild to his more-popular "A Summer Place" and "Parrish") wherein young Susan has a baby out of wedlock and her mother poses as the infant's mother, causing jealousy and friction between the two. Beautifully shot by Lucien Ballard (a great choice for a location-rich film such as this), it moves along at a fast clip and has lots of high drama. Connie Stevens isn't Meryl Streep, and she jumps from different emotions with too practiced a speed, but I loved her acting in the hospital waiting room when she comes clean in front of Mama, and I really bought her romance with scowling Troy Donahue. As the elders, Lloyd Nolan and Dorothy McGuire are exceptional, as is the production design (featuring a gorgeous ocean-front home in Monterey). The infrequent voice-over narration (first by Nolan and then later by Stevens) is an intrusion--who are they talking to?--and there's a silliness inherent in the trappings of the plot that render it dated, but I did find myself thinking about it days afterward. As sudsers go, it's first-rate. ***1/2 from ****

I too love this movie. It takes me back to my teenage years when I could sit in the theatre and watch the movie over and over again without having to pay extra! I loved Connie Stevens and Troy Donahue! But I can't watch this movie anymore because it is never shown in Australia and it is not available on video. I hope someday it will be!

People talk a lot about Douglas Sirk and Ross Hunter when it comes to glossy soap operas, but let's not forget about "written, directed, and produced by Delmar Daves." As a writer, Daves was responsible for some wonderful films such as "An Affair to Remember," "Dark Passage," and one of my favorites, "It All Came True." Once the late '50s hit, he was happier with the big glossy films for the younger set - "Rome Adventure," "Youngbood Hawke," "Parrish," "A Summer Place," and "Susan Slade," all of which he directed.

"Susan Slade" stars Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Lloyd Nolan, Brian Aherne, Bert Convy, and Dorothy McGuire. Stevens plays the title role, that of a sheltered young woman who's been living with her parents overseas. She becomes involved on the ship back to America with a mountain climber named Conn (Grant Williams) who loses his life on a mountain and leaves Susan pregnant. She has a couple of men after her: the brooding Hoyt Brecker (Donahue), whose father was involved in a scandal, and Wells Corbett (Bert Convy), the son of the Slades' best friends (Brian Aherne and Natalie Schaefer). Susan's loving parents (Lloyd Nolan and Dorothy McGuire) are very concerned that an illegitimate child will ruin Susan's life and her prospects.

Well, needless to say, this is pretty dated, considering nowadays most people have babies and don't think about getting married, if they do, until much later! So all the hoopla hearkens back to a different morality.

Connie Stevens is good, though I prefer her in lighter comedy, where she really shone; and Donahue looks good (by Palm Springs Weekend he'd really had it) and Daves knew how to direct him to his best advantage. However, he always did a lot with that brooding look. Bert Convy doesn't seem all that comfortable, or is it that I associate him with game shows, I don't know.

Stevens and Donahue are surrounded by a terrific cast of veterans, which also includes Kent Smith as the doctor.

"Susan Slade" is very lushly photographed and scored, with young, vital, good-looking leads. It's entertaining, as are all of the Daves films in this genre.

A classic soaper, beautifully photographed by the late Lucien Ballard, and the absolutely lush musical score by the late Max Steiner elevates this movie to dizzying heights.

Connie Stevens is perfectly cast as the the young naive girl falling in love for the first time. Unfortunately her beau is tragically killed before they can get married leaving her pregnant. Lloyd Nolan and Dorothy McGuire are perfectly cast as her understanding parents, as is faithful stable-boy Troy Donahue who pursues Connie until she finally give her heart to him.

Very typical early 1960s mores abound. Watching this film now is very dated in fact in some parts even laughable; but that doesn't matter. This film is very underrated, and deserves to be on DVD along with the other Delmer Daves films of that era.

It's hard to believe that the only actor alive from this film is Connie Stevens, everyone else has long since passed away.

I have seen this movie everytime it runs on tv. it is one of the great 60's movies like parrish and rome adventure and a summer place. loved them all but I would like to purchase this in vhs. could anyone help me out. It is a great movie. thank you cj