Not quite near the quality of other Jerry Wald productions, but THE LONG HOT SUMMER does have its moments. And no, I'm not just talking about the scenes where Paul Newman struts around shirtless.
The story comes to life thanks to the real-life chemistry Paul Newman shares with wife Joanne Woodward. Together, they combine a focused approach with artistic talent...something they always did when collaborating in motion pictures.
But in this project, they are terribly overshadowed by a costar who can't stop chewing the scenery. Yes, the whole sumptuous affair tends to get bogged down by Orson Welles' kitschy performance as Will Varner, the southern patriarch who presides over the town and its inhabitants.
Welles seems to be punching up his moments on screen so much that a few of the younger performers, Richard Anderson and Tony Franciosa, seem to have a hard time keeping their composure. Welles is able to get away with the camp he exudes in sinister film noir like THE STRANGER or TOUCH OF EVIL, but here it is almost comical and feels out of place.
On a TCM 'Essentials' broadcast, Alec Baldwin slammed Welles' hammy acting. Baldwin made a comment that on the call sheets Welles was listed fourth or fifth, and clearly desperate to be regarded as the star, he pulled out all the stops in a supporting role. It's a dreadful characterization, matched only by the dreadful hair, make-up and endless Porky Pig sweat running down his face.
I need a cool drink of water every time I watch Welles in this film. On second thought, make that a nice tall glass of lemonade on the veranda, honey chile.
