Crowded Paradise (1956)
Directed by Fred Pressburger
Genres - Drama |
Release Date - Jun 21, 1956 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 94 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
All but forgotten today, Crowded Paradise was one of the first in-depth studies of racial tensions in postwar New York City. Mario Alcade plays Juan Figueroa, a Puerto Rican youth who come to Manhattan for the purpose of marrying his sweetheart Felicia Diaz (Enid Rudd). Despite running up against all manner of obstacles--most of them having to do with prejudice and misunderstanding--Juan is determined to make good in the his adopted country. The film veers dangerously towards melodrama at the climax, when a bigoted, sex-obsessed landlord (well played by Hume Cronyn) schemes to sabotage Juan and Felicia's wedding. Nancy Kelly costars as the landlord's sight-impaired wife, one of the few sympathetic Anglo characters in the film. Crowded Paradise was photographed on location by Boris Kaufman, who'd previously lensed the Oscar-winning "reality" drama On the Waterfront; the script was co-authored by Marc Connelly, of Green Pastures fame.
Characteristics
Keywords
American-dream, bomb, city, employment, fortune-hunter, landlord, optimism, Puerto-Rican [nationality], racism, spouse, threat, wedding