Julie Harris wants to be “The Member of the Wedding”

The Member of the Wedding (1952) is an American film drama directed by Fred Zinneman and starring Ethel Waters, Julie Harris, and Brandon De Wilde. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Carson McCullers (1946). The cinematography was by two-time Oscar winner Hal Mohr. The music was by Alex North.

The plot surrounds Frankie Addams (Harris), an awkward and unhappy 12-year-old tomboy growing up in the Southern United States. She has no friends—although she’s desperate to have some—except her young cousin John Henry (De Wilde). Frankie’s father works long hours and doesn’t have much time for his daughter. The housekeeper Bernice Sadie Brown (Waters) acts as a surrogate mother for Frankie. 

When Frankie’s older brother announces his wedding, Frankie decides she’s going to run off with him and her new bride.

 

Brandon deWilde, Ethel Waters, and Julie Harris

Fred Zinnemann (1907 -1997) was an Austrian Empire-born American film director. He won four Academy Awards for directing and producing films. He was an early advocate for filming on location for authenticity. Zinnemann introduced many stars to film, including Brando, Julie Harris, Montgomery Clift, Shirley Jones, and Meryl Streep. He also directed 19 actors to Oscar nominations, including Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Jason Robards, Gary Cooper, and Maximilian Schell. Some of his films were From Her to Eternity (1953), Oklahoma! (1955), and The Nun’s Story (1959).

Ethel Waters (1896 – 1977) was an American singer and actress. She was a popular blues singer and had hits with “Taking a Chance on Love,” “Stormy Weather,” and “Cabin in the Sky.” Waters was a pioneer in the entertainment industry. Waters was the first black woman to star in her own television show and the first black woman to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. She was also the second black person to be nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in Pinky (1949). Waters originated the role of Bernice Sadie Brown on Broadway in The Member of the Wedding and recreated the role for the film version. Later in her life, Waters toured with Billy Graham and sang His Eye is on the Sparrow along with giving her testimony of faith.

Julie Harris (1925 – 2013) was an American actress famous for her roles on the Broadway stage, making her debut in 1945. Harris won five Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Play. Some of her famous stage roles were in The Member of the Wedding (1950), I Am a Camera (1951), The Lark (1956) The Last of Mrs. Lincoln (1973), and The Belle of Amherst (1977). Some of her major films include East of Eden (1955), The Haunting (1963), Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962),  Harper (1966), Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), and The Hiding Place (1975).

Brandon deWilde (1942 – 1972) was an American actor who at the age of seven became a Broadway star—completing 492 performances—in The Member of the Wedding. But it’s his role as Joey Starrett in the Western classic Shane (1953). For his performance in that film, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. DeWilde was in another Broadway play in 1953, Mrs. McThing For his role in that play he was featured on the cover of Life magazine. He also had a television series, Jamie, which aired in1953 and 1954. At the age of 17, deWilde starred in Blue Denim (1959) costarring Carol Lynley. Other films include All Fall Down (1962) with Eva Marie Saint and Warren Beatty, Hud (1963) with Paul Newman, Patrician Neal, and Melvyn Douglass, and In Harm’s Way (1965) playing John Wayne’s son. DeWilde was in a stage production of Butterflies Are Free and was killed in a traffic accident on the way to the theater. He was 30 years old.

 

The Member of the Wedding trivia

• Julie Harris was 27 when she played Frankie Adams on the screen.
• Ethel Waters, Julie Harris, and Brandon deWilde all reprised their Broadway roles.
• This film marked the film debuts of both Brandon deWilde and Julie Harris.
• This was Julie Harris’s only Oscar-nominated performance.
• Ethel Waters sings “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” in the film. This would become her theme song later in life.
• This was Fred Zinnemann’s favorite film.

 

To watch the film on YouTube, click on the link here.

 

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Discussion questions

1. What was your overall impression of the movie?
2. Did you think Julie Harris was convincing as a 12-year-old girl?
3. What did you make of the relationship between Bernice, Frankie, and John Henry?
4. Ethel Waters’s performance was lauded on stage and in film. Do you think her performance holds up?
5. The film is mostly confined to the Addams family kitchen. Were you okay with that? Did it hurt the film in your opinion?  
6. Did anything about the film surprise you?