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Blue Denim
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Blue Denim
Blue Denim is a 1959 American drama film directed by Philip Dunne, and starring Carol Lynley, Brandon deWilde, Warren Berlinger, Macdonald Carey, and Marsha Hunt. Adapted from the Broadway play by James Leo Herlihy and William Noble, it focuses on two teenagers, Arthur and Janet, who navigate their teenage pregnancy. Lynley and Berlinger, who starred in the original Broadway production, reprise their roles in the film.
Dealing with the issues of teenage pregnancy and then-illegal abortion, Blue Denim was met with some controversy at the time of its release. Due to production code mandates at the time, the film does not feature the term "abortion" in its screenplay, and also significantly alters the final act from the stage play.
In 1950s Dearborn, Michigan, 14-year-old Arthur Bartley lives in a dysfunctional household under the supervision of father Malcolm, a strict former Army major, and his mother, Jessie, both of whom largely ignore their son, instead focusing on the impending wedding of Arthur's older sister, Lillian. Arthur observes his 15-year-old schoolmate Janet, the daughter of an erudite professor, ask Ernie to forge her father's signature on an absentee excuse from school. After Ernie leaves, Janet flatters Arthur and the two kiss.
Later, Arthur and Janet begin dating, and both divulge that they are virgins before Janet initiates having sex. Some months later, Janet reveals to Arthur that she is pregnant. She insists on covertly marrying Arthur to avoid punishment from her father, but the two are denied for being underage. As Jane grows despondent, Arthur asks for Ernie to help him arrange for an abortion. A local soda jerk tells the boys he knows an abortionist. Arthur and Ernie proceed to sell items to try and raise enough money, but come up $90 short. Ernie, who opposes the abortion, suggests that Arthur tell his parents about Janet's pregnancy. Arthur agrees, but when he attempts to tell his mother Lillian, she misinterprets his question as him seeking advice about sex, and an attempt to tell his father also goes unsuccessful.
Out of desperation, Arthur steals a check from his father's checkbook, and has Ernie forge his signature to pay for the abortion. On the day it is to take place, an anxious Janet begs Arthur to cancel the abortion, but proceeds to follow through at Arthur's insistence. Ernie expresses disappointment in Arthur for failing to reveal the pregnancy to his parents. Arthur has a change of mind and confesses to his father, after which he, Janet's father, and Arthur flee to the doctor's office and successfully prevent the abortion from occurring.
Janet, sedated, is taken home with her father, while Arthur's parents realize their failure at providing emotional support for their son and worry about how becoming a teen parent will affect his future. Janet insists that, because she pursued Arthur, that he should not be held responsible to help raise their child. Janet leaves town by train to stay with her aunt and give birth to their child. Arthur, stricken with a sense of responsibility, meets Janet on a train platform where he proposes to her.
The play was first announced in 1955. In December 1955, its title was changed to The Children's Comedy. In June 1957 the title was changed back to Blue Denim. Joshua Logan agreed to direct. The play opened February 27, 1958 at the Playhouse Theatre. The New York Times called it "a moving play". It closed after 166 performances.
Carol Lynley was cast in the lead role of Janet, reprising the part from the stage play. Actresses Lee Remick, Diane Varsi, and Hope Lange were considered for the part prior to Lynley's casting.
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Blue Denim
Blue Denim is a 1959 American drama film directed by Philip Dunne, and starring Carol Lynley, Brandon deWilde, Warren Berlinger, Macdonald Carey, and Marsha Hunt. Adapted from the Broadway play by James Leo Herlihy and William Noble, it focuses on two teenagers, Arthur and Janet, who navigate their teenage pregnancy. Lynley and Berlinger, who starred in the original Broadway production, reprise their roles in the film.
Dealing with the issues of teenage pregnancy and then-illegal abortion, Blue Denim was met with some controversy at the time of its release. Due to production code mandates at the time, the film does not feature the term "abortion" in its screenplay, and also significantly alters the final act from the stage play.
In 1950s Dearborn, Michigan, 14-year-old Arthur Bartley lives in a dysfunctional household under the supervision of father Malcolm, a strict former Army major, and his mother, Jessie, both of whom largely ignore their son, instead focusing on the impending wedding of Arthur's older sister, Lillian. Arthur observes his 15-year-old schoolmate Janet, the daughter of an erudite professor, ask Ernie to forge her father's signature on an absentee excuse from school. After Ernie leaves, Janet flatters Arthur and the two kiss.
Later, Arthur and Janet begin dating, and both divulge that they are virgins before Janet initiates having sex. Some months later, Janet reveals to Arthur that she is pregnant. She insists on covertly marrying Arthur to avoid punishment from her father, but the two are denied for being underage. As Jane grows despondent, Arthur asks for Ernie to help him arrange for an abortion. A local soda jerk tells the boys he knows an abortionist. Arthur and Ernie proceed to sell items to try and raise enough money, but come up $90 short. Ernie, who opposes the abortion, suggests that Arthur tell his parents about Janet's pregnancy. Arthur agrees, but when he attempts to tell his mother Lillian, she misinterprets his question as him seeking advice about sex, and an attempt to tell his father also goes unsuccessful.
Out of desperation, Arthur steals a check from his father's checkbook, and has Ernie forge his signature to pay for the abortion. On the day it is to take place, an anxious Janet begs Arthur to cancel the abortion, but proceeds to follow through at Arthur's insistence. Ernie expresses disappointment in Arthur for failing to reveal the pregnancy to his parents. Arthur has a change of mind and confesses to his father, after which he, Janet's father, and Arthur flee to the doctor's office and successfully prevent the abortion from occurring.
Janet, sedated, is taken home with her father, while Arthur's parents realize their failure at providing emotional support for their son and worry about how becoming a teen parent will affect his future. Janet insists that, because she pursued Arthur, that he should not be held responsible to help raise their child. Janet leaves town by train to stay with her aunt and give birth to their child. Arthur, stricken with a sense of responsibility, meets Janet on a train platform where he proposes to her.
The play was first announced in 1955. In December 1955, its title was changed to The Children's Comedy. In June 1957 the title was changed back to Blue Denim. Joshua Logan agreed to direct. The play opened February 27, 1958 at the Playhouse Theatre. The New York Times called it "a moving play". It closed after 166 performances.
Carol Lynley was cast in the lead role of Janet, reprising the part from the stage play. Actresses Lee Remick, Diane Varsi, and Hope Lange were considered for the part prior to Lynley's casting.