The Stripper is a 1963 American drama film about a struggling, aging actress-turned-stripper, played by Joanne Woodward, and the people she knows. It is based on the play A Loss of Roses by William Inge.

The Stripper
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFranklin J. Schaffner
Screenplay byMeade Roberts
Based onA Loss of Roses
(1959 play)
by William Inge
Produced byJerry Wald
StarringJoanne Woodward
Richard Beymer
Claire Trevor
Carol Lynley
CinematographyEllsworth Fredericks
Edited byRobert L. Simpson
Music byJerry Goldsmith
Distributed by20th Century-Fox
Release date
  • June 19, 1963 (1963-06-19) (New York City)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2,175,000[1] or $2.5 million[2]
Box office$1,500,000 (US/ Canada)[3]

This was the feature film debut of director Franklin J. Schaffner, and co-starred Carol Lynley, Robert Webber, and Richard Beymer. Also appearing as Madame Olga was real-life stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. It was the first Schaffner film to feature a score by prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith, who later worked with Schaffner on Planet of the Apes, Patton, Papillon, and The Boys from Brazil.[4]

William Travilla was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.

The film was intended to be a vehicle for Marilyn Monroe and Pat Boone, two Fox contract stars, but Monroe died in 1962, and Boone refused the role on moral grounds.[5]

Plot

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Lila Green dreamed of a career in the movies, but has found little success. She joins a group of traveling entertainers and is abandoned near her Kansas hometown by manager and boyfriend Ricky Powers. Old friend Helen Baird takes her into her home, where Helen's young son Kenny becomes infatuated with Lila. Somewhat delusional, she at first sees a future for their relationship, until coming to her senses. Ricky returns and offers Lila a job doing a striptease. In need of money, she accepts. Kenny witnesses her show, and he realizes she is not the dream girl he loved.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1. p253
  2. ^ "Wald, Ritt, Hotcher off to Italy". Variety. 21 June 1961. p. 3.
  3. ^ "Top Rental Features of 1963", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 71. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.
  4. ^ Clemmensen, Christian. Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004) tribute at Filmtracks.com. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  5. ^ Verswijver, Leo Pat Boone Interview in Movies were Always Magical: Interviews with 19 Actors, Directors, and Producers from the Hollywood of the 1930s through the 1950, McFarland, 2003, p. 8
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