The Young Philadelphians (1959)

A young man (Paul Newman) studying law at Princeton was born with a prestigious Philadelphia mainline society name but without the money is raised by his single mother (Diane Brewster), who has sacrificed personal happiness to keep the name which will open doors for her son. He rises to the top of his legal profession thru ambition and manipulation. Based on the novel THE PHILADELPHIAN by Richard P. Powell and directed by veteran director Vincent Sherman (MR. SKEFFINGTON). This is the kind of juicy melodrama they don't make anymore and to many film buffs, this is a good thing. But I'm partial to these soap opera movie equivalents of hard to put down page turners. I can't make any more of it than what it is so if you're looking for something more substantial than a pleasant two hours of pure entertainment, this movie isn't for you. I suppose one could call it a guilty pleasure but I never feel guilty about anything that gives me pleasure. Newman does well and the rest of the cast is fine including Robert Vaughn in an Oscar nominated performance as a rich kid turned alcoholic. The score is by Ernest Gold (EXODUS) though you could have fooled me, it sounded like Max Steiner. With Barbara Rush, Alexis Smith, Brian Keith, Billie Burke, Adam West, Otto Kruger, John Williams, Anthony Eisley, Isobel Elsom and Robert Douglas.