Member Of The Wedding

Julie Harris recreated her award-winning stage performance as tomboy Frankie Addams and made her motion picture debut in this poignant film based on Carson McCullers' critically acclaimed novel and play. Also reprising their roles from the Broadway play were Ethel Waters as Berenice the cook and Brandon De Wilde as John Henry, Frankie's young cousin. Director Fred Zinnemann was careful not to stray too far from the play, with the central themes of longing and loneliness resonating throughout the lead actors' heart-tugging performances. When her brother marries, Frankie decides she should go with the newlyweds on their honeymoon, to break free from the seclusion she feels in her emotionally turbulent, sheltered life. Harris was actually in her twenties when she filmed this, but her short hair and memorable portrayal of Frankie made her an almost-believable twelve year-old and earned her an Academy Award® nomination for Best Actress.