by Tana Hobart
synopsis
Based on the William Inge play, this is really more a series of vignettes about the crises in an Oklahoma family during the 1920s. Each family member's story is played out and, in the end, we haven't garnered much in the way of a plot. Perhaps this is why the play and the movie were not as popular as they were expected to be. Good character studies, however, well performed. Stories include: Father leaving Mother for mistress, daughter in love with Jewish boy, suicide, and a boy who is afraid of the "Dark at the Top of the Stairs," hence the name.
characteristics
- In A Minor Key
- Infidelity
- Race Relations
- Mistress
- Milquetoast
- Salesperson
- Salespeople
- Salesman
- Problems
- Saleswoman
- Mother
- Self-esteem
- Suicide
- Troubles
- Unhappiness
