Handsome blond Troy Donahue (as Parrish McLean) accompanies mother Claudette Colbert (as Ellen) when she is employed to work on a Connecticut tobacco farm chaperoning a young débutante. As soon as Mr. Donahue arrives, young women become aroused by his handsomeness. Employer Dean Jagger (as Sala Post) tells Ms. Colbert her good-looking son will not be welcome on the estate. A smart man, the veteran tobacco farmer correctly realizes sultry daughter Diane McBain (as Alison) would be aroused by Donahue.
Indeed, as the film plays out, Ms. McBain is revealed as quite a tramp. Colbert doesn't seem to have much of a positive influence on her young charge. Instead, Colbert begins a romance with younger man Karl Malden (as Judd Raike), who is the biggest tobacco farmer in the area - nice catch for Colbert, as he is worth over $20 million...
Meanwhile, Donahue shacks up with sexy field hand Connie Stevens (as Lucy), who could be pregnant with a child belonging to one of Mr. Malden's two sexually active sons. The daddy is supposed to be a secret, but it's easy to figure out. Donahue and Ms. Stevens have the film's sexiest scene - he is shirtless due to a rash and she fills a pink frock in the right places.
Next, Donahue takes his turn with McBain, who has also hooked up with a Malden son. These sons are, but the way, Hampton Fancher (as Edgar) and David Knapp (as Wiley); they are the least known of the main cast, but essay two of the better characterizations. Mr. Jagger also does well in his limited role. Back at our drama, Donahue catches the eye of Malden's fetching underage daughter Sharon Hugueny (as Paige). With all these romances, everyone still plants tobacco...
In all likelihood, "Parrish" would have won a few of the "Worst" acting awards given more often today. The epic passion in Mildred Savage's original novel has been transformed into glossy posturing. Still, it does look beautiful.
***** Parrish (5/4/61) Delmer Daves ~ Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden, Connie Stevens
Indeed, as the film plays out, Ms. McBain is revealed as quite a tramp. Colbert doesn't seem to have much of a positive influence on her young charge. Instead, Colbert begins a romance with younger man Karl Malden (as Judd Raike), who is the biggest tobacco farmer in the area - nice catch for Colbert, as he is worth over $20 million...
Meanwhile, Donahue shacks up with sexy field hand Connie Stevens (as Lucy), who could be pregnant with a child belonging to one of Mr. Malden's two sexually active sons. The daddy is supposed to be a secret, but it's easy to figure out. Donahue and Ms. Stevens have the film's sexiest scene - he is shirtless due to a rash and she fills a pink frock in the right places.
Next, Donahue takes his turn with McBain, who has also hooked up with a Malden son. These sons are, but the way, Hampton Fancher (as Edgar) and David Knapp (as Wiley); they are the least known of the main cast, but essay two of the better characterizations. Mr. Jagger also does well in his limited role. Back at our drama, Donahue catches the eye of Malden's fetching underage daughter Sharon Hugueny (as Paige). With all these romances, everyone still plants tobacco...
In all likelihood, "Parrish" would have won a few of the "Worst" acting awards given more often today. The epic passion in Mildred Savage's original novel has been transformed into glossy posturing. Still, it does look beautiful.
***** Parrish (5/4/61) Delmer Daves ~ Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden, Connie Stevens