This is a very good movie where passion wins out over what would make sense financially. Madge Owens (Kim Novak) has a boy, Alan Benson (Cliff Robertson) who has claimed her as she is the most beautiful girl in town. However she is not satisfied being a thing instead of a person. When Hal Carter (William Holden) comes to town things change. He is a transient and down on his luck, but knows Benson from college and hopes to get a job. It is also the day of the Labor Day picnic. Carter goes to the picnic with Madge's younger sister, Millie (Susan Strasburg). She is obviously young for him but Madge is with Benson. Madge's mother (Betty Field) does what she can to keep her daughter with Benson; but before the night is over, Madge leaves with Carter. A school teacher (Rosalind Russell) rents a room from the mother. She has a long term boy friend (Arthur O'Connell) who does not commit. After she has drunk some she makes a pass at Carter who rejects her. She rips his shirt. The evening turns out well for her as her boyfriend finally proposes marriage. Shortly after his shirt is ripped, Carter and Madge take off in Benson's car which Carter had been using all night. He returns the car in the morning, and the police want to arrest him for stealing the car, he runs and has to leave town, but not before seeing Madge. He confesses his love, as does she. He runs and catches the train. Benson calls to say he forgives Madge; but Madge decides to follow Carter, taking the bus.
The actors do very well at their rolls. This is a movie based on a stage play of the same name written by William Inge. A couple musicals were written based on the same play, but were not successful.
