Autumn Leaves

1956
PG
1h 47m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Joan Crawford and Cliff Robertson in Autumn Leaves (1956)

A lonely middle-aged woman meets a younger man, but their relationship is threatened after the man's troubled past reveals itself.A lonely middle-aged woman meets a younger man, but their relationship is threatened after the man's troubled past reveals itself.A lonely middle-aged woman meets a younger man, but their relationship is threatened after the man's troubled past reveals itself.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Photos20

+ 13

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In an interview for a much later documentary on Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson recounts his first meeting with her, at her house. Already somewhat intimidated by working with the legendary Crawford, he is let in, then hears her call from poolside, where she's sunning, "Come on out, dear boy. We've been waiting for you." Robertson has nothing but admiration for Crawford's talent and incredible technical discipline. At one point, Director Robert Aldrich wanted Crawford to cry, but only slightly - a tear or two. "Which eye?" Robertson recalls Crawford asking. Then repeats the anecdote, amazed, "'Which EYE?'"

Quotes
Virginia: Sure, he should be committed!
Milly: Of course, you'd want me to commit him, get him out of your life, put him away permanently someplace where he can never again remind either one of you of your horrible guilt; how you and you had committed the ugliest of all possible sins, so ugly that it drove him into the state he's in now!
Mr. Hanson: What kind of a woman are you to be satisfied with only half a man? There must be so...
Milly: Even when he doesn't know what he's doing, he's a saner man than you are! He's decent and proud. Can you say the same for yourselves? Where's your decency? In what garbage dump, Mr. Hanson? And where's yours, you tramp?
Mr. Hanson: I don't have to listen to that!
Virginia: She's the one who's crazy!
Mr. Hanson: She has to be crazy to put up with that weakling!
Milly: You, his loving, doting fraud of a father! And you, you SLUT! You're both so consumed with evil, so ROTTEN! Your filthy souls are too evil for Hell itself!

Crazy credits
Opening credits are shown over a background of...... leaves.

Connections
Featured in Joan Crawford: Always the Star (1996)

Soundtracks
Autumn Leaves
(Les Feuilles Mortes)
Music by Joseph Kosma
French lyrics by Jacques Prévert
English lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole

User reviews66

Review

Featured review

8/10

"Being in love is never easy..."

(A line from one of the characters of the movie)

Wow! I watched this on TV on a lark - the movie had a "To Be Announced" and no description, so I didn't know what to expect; I didn't know the story line. My only previous experience with Joan Crawford as an actress was "Baby Jane", and I really don't know much about her.

This was an unexpected treat - the acting throughout is superb, and since it is B&W, the use of dramatic lighting and use of unusual camera angles adds depth and drama to the story.

When Millicent begins to realize that Burt is a pathological liar, it made me want to say, "Run, girl, RUN!". But then, the villains appear on the scene (Vera Miles and Lorne Greene), and the awful truth is revealed. (BTW, I only knew Greene as Ben Cartwright, but when he was younger, he was HOT! And, that VOICE! But, I digress...). One of the best lines - that made me laugh out loud - that other viewers have mentioned, "And YOU....you SLUT!" - is so good because of how Crawford delivers it. Such dignity.

It is a true phenomenon that when a mind is faced with an unspeakable trauma, the creation of a 'fantasy life' can be created to make the trauma more "manageable". Burt's breakdown is understandable, but the horrific truth of how most psycho-therapy was conducted back in the day (drugs and electro-shock therapy) makes the sanitarium scenes difficult to watch.

But...the deep strength of Millicent is the true face of love. To love another so much that she wanted Burt to have a happy future, even if it didn't include her, is what this reviewer sees as the very heart of love. Although actors are trained to portray a wide range of characters and emotions, I believe that a woman must be truly strong to be able to portray Millicent - and that gives one insight as to Joan Crawford's own character.

And, how does it end? That is for you to find out. Watch it - it's gripping, entertaining, engaging - and the kind of movie you can watch with someone special. And, watching how they respond to this movie will give YOU some insights!