Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Although Tennessee Williams loathed Richard Brooks's 1958 version of his play (Hollywood tended to tone down the playwright's homosexual themes), this story of a bunch of scumbags that plays like an intellectual's Dallas is an undisputed American classic. Paul Newman stars as Brick, a hobbling ex-jock mourning the death of his best friend by way of drinking voluminous amounts of alcohol and neglecting his wife Maggie (Taylor), who he suspects of infidelity. Maggie the Cat only wants two things: to jump Brick's bones, and to ease the discordance between Brick and his land-rich and ailing Big Daddy (Burl Ives). Rounding out this slimy stew are Big Daddy's son Gooper (Jack Carson) and Gooper's totally obnoxious wife, Mae (a wonderfully repellent performance by Madeleine Sherwood), along with their tribe of "no-neck monster" children. Before Big Daddy goes big belly up, an explosive confrontation will take place between Brick and his father. Nominated for numerous Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Actor (Newman), and Screenplay, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof makes its Blu-ray debut, with extras including audio commentary by Donald Spoto (who wrote biographies of Williams and Taylor), and a behind-the scenes featurette. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)