They say that no matter how old you get, you never forget your first love. One of my favorite movies growing up was Splendor in the Grass. It was made in 1961. This intriquing play is a tragic, coming-of-age melodrama from Pulizer Prize winning playwright William Inge’s original screenplay. It was Inge’s first story written directly for the screen and he received a nomination (and the film’s sole Oscar) for the best original story and screenplay for his work.

The time period for the story occurs during the late 1920s and early 30s at the start of the Depression in a rural Kansas town, coinciding with the intensity of a first love and the devastating consequenses of repressed sexuality upon a pair of love-struck teenagers (played by Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty). The film has been described as the reality of a first love when feelings are new and somewhat frightening and are heightened by a constricting society.

The film’s title is taken from William Wordsworth’s 1807 poem, “Ode on intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood”:

Splendor In The Grass
By William Wordsworth

What though the radiance
which was once so bright
Be now forever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass,
of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.

The mood and story line of the stormy relationship between the two star-crossed lovers parallels the meaning of this poem as the adolescents meet, fall obsessively in love and become sexually awakened, face repressed sexual attitudes of their parents, parental pressures, social contraints and class differences. They ultimately break-up and are traumatized without consummating their love.

As the story progresses, Natalie Wood’s character, Deanie is driven close to madness and is institutionalized. Warren Beatty’s character, Bud, and his family, lose their furtune in the Great Depression, which leads to Bud’s father’s suicide. Bud takes up farming.

In the final scene of this film, Deanie returns home from the institution after two and a half years, and goes to find Bud. He is now married to the daughter of Italian immigrants. They now have an infant son. After their brief reunion, Deanie and Bud realized that they must continue their lives separtately.

Information on the film, “Splendor in the Grass” was provided by Wikipedia.

Link here to the Poetry Wednesday tour on Laurita’s page

delete reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 11, ’07 Fabulous everything! Isn’t the poem gorgeous? It’s close to unbearable in its beauty. That was a wonderful movie, too, I saw it so many years ago and I just remember how sad I felt during that school scene. Wasn’t Natalie Wood great?

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Dec 11, ’07 Yes, Natalie Wood was so haunting in that role. She was truly a wonderful actress.

delete reply zafreud wrote on Dec 11, ’07 “In the faith that looks through death, In years that bring the philosophic mind.” Although the poem and the movie bring tears in our eyes, here lies the great truth…Through the pain, the hardships, the struggle, the years can bring the philosophic mind – the redemption! Ah, Laurita, what a nice choise!!! Thank you!

delete reply bostonsdandd wrote on Dec 11, ’07 I like your choice. It’s a beautiful and haunting tale of two star-crossed lovers. What could be better than that? *Sighs*

delete reply mymad2007 wrote on Dec 11, ’07 I have never read this poem before. I liked it a lot. Nice entry.

delete reply kwika wrote on Dec 11, ’07 He is the most expert of poets.

delete reply philsgal7759 wrote on Dec 11, ’07 Love both poem and the clip Thanks

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Dec 11, ’07 I thought that putting the movie and poem together would be so moving.

delete reply papahere wrote on Dec 11, ’07 Novelty is always fresh and nostalgic…but like a homing experience,we try to regain it. ~ Papa

delete reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Dec 11, ’07 What a lovely addition to poetry this week. For myself..each and every person who I have loved in my life has added to the beauty of current life. Oh..and wasn’t Natalie Wood just a gorgeous & gifted actress? Thanks for this splendid poetry and blog!

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Dec 12, ’07 Yes, I don’t think anyone else would have played her part in that movie as well as she did !

delete reply ellegance2007 wrote on Dec 12, ’07 Adding 2 mediums to explore the human condition added to the enjoyment of your post.Literary giants of Wordsworth hold their own in any company. You have chosen well, and the pain and redemption that inevitably follow make us all realise the fraility of the human condition and the possibility of finally making some meaning out of all this. I enjoyed your post.

delete reply surelydimple wrote on Dec 19, ’07 Loved this post.The poem is very beautiful…hitting close to home these days. I’m trying to get over my lost love, who coincidently is named, guess what? Bud! I’ve never seen this movie,I think it will be a good snowy night movie. Warren looks like a doll baby on the cover. Thanks for coming and reading my page. Have A Very Merry Christmas.

delete reply surelydimple wrote on Dec 19, ’07 Woops, I Think I’m A Week Behind! LOL

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 15, ’08 This is one of my favorite poems.

deletereply starfishred wrote on Sep 16, ’08 VERY NICE

deletereply jeffpoet wrote on Sep 16, ’08 nice to read it:-)

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 16, ’08 This is actually a repost, but it’s from quite a while back. I hope you enjoy it.

deletereply zafreud wrote on Sep 16, ’08 lauritasita said In the faith that looks through death, In years that bring the philosophic mind A splendid autumn after the splendour of the grass in spring!…Personally, although I cherish the brilliance of the new sprang grass, I prefer these “autumn” years. Wordsworth – quite a suitable name for the poet, don’t you think? – is an always welcome treat! Thank you! 🙂

deletereply billatplay wrote on Sep 16, ’08 Unrequited love is by far the purist and long remembered for its innocence. Perhaps that is what makes it so, unsullied as it is by the practicalities of life. Nice thoughts, nice poem thank you.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 16, ’08 Thank you so much for visiting. I find it depressing that when we become adults that we think we have to forget the ideals of youth and leave it behind forever.

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Sep 16, ’08 this is a lovely presentation, love the way you tie up the original poem with the film, thanks Laurita

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 16, ’08 Thanks Loretta, I love doing that if it’s possible.

deletereply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Sep 16, ’08 This is one of my favorite Wordsworth works also…so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us all…you always have such great cinema connected with your offerings for poetry! I’m a bit nostalgic seeing Natalie Wood ~she was a icon and so grogeous.:(

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 16, ’08 I loved Natalie Wood, too. I really miss her. She had such a haunting quality about her, and she was a great actress.

deletereply johnthad wrote on Sep 16, ’08 That was terrific. Thank you.

deletereply dianahopeless wrote on Sep 16, ’08 This is one of my all time favorites. Love the way you added to the poem, by such a wonderful full presentation.

deletereply jadedruid wrote on Sep 16, ’08 This has always been one of my favorite movies. I loved the link of the poem and the movie. Thank you so uch for the memory. Now I have to go find the movie again!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 16, ’08 The movie was just wonderful. The story in itself was very emotional. We forget how hard it is growing up. This was reflected in the poem.

deletereply papahere wrote on Sep 17, ’08 I spent most of my life looking at life philosophically…and can attest it is largely an attempt to soothe the experience of pain and disillusionment…this poem suggest Woodsworth was also a philosopher at heart. ~ Papa

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 17, ’08 It’s such a sad, but beautiful poem.

deletereply fluffyj wrote on Sep 17, ’08 Love the poem and her read it. -janeen

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Sep 17, ’08 She was so great in that movie, wasn’t she ?

deletereply skeezicks1957 wrote on Sep 21, ’08 lauritasita said In the soothing thoughts that spring Out of human suffering; That which makes us what we are . . . great post. TY.

deletereply rosiefielding2 wrote on Feb 1, ’09 one of his best works ,

Add a Comment   For: Add a comment to this blog entry, for Laurita’s contacts Send lauritasita a personal message   Subject:   –   Quote original message

delete reply gypsy4you wrote on May 25, ’09 I remember fighting with my mother because she would not let me see this movie. :<(

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on May 25, ’09 It was an excellent movie with great acting (besides having a great poem). Natalie Wood was incredible !

delete reply catfishred wrote on May 26, ’09 Wow, would you believe I’ve never seen this movie? What a beauty Natalie Wood was, and her own death such a tragedy shrouded in mystery still. I think even the days of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner’s youth were tainted in repressed emotions and fainting spells. 🙂 My first love occurred during those fun and madcap days of my youthful thespian group being allowed to act like silly children with the excuse that we were only performing artists, after all. People would gin and shake their heads, muttering: ‘You know how they are.’ Oh, and, sadly for me, my first love later turned out to be gay. 🙁

delete reply sassyangelac wrote on May 26, ’09 One of my faves too!

delete reply billatplay wrote on May 26, ’09 My first devoured me mentally. I married my second in sound mind.

delete reply caffeinatedjo wrote on May 26, ’09 I never saw that movie, nor did I realize the connection between Wordsworth’s poem and the movie.  I need to rent it.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on May 26, ’09 caffeinatedjo said never saw that movie, nor did I realize the connection between Wordsworth’s poem and the movie The poem can easily be overlooked while watching the movie, although it is a very powerful theme of the movie. I highly recommend this film because it is an American classic with incredible actors.

delete reply pestep55 wrote on May 26, ’09 Wonderful movie /:-)

delete reply bostonsdandd wrote on May 26, ’09 I’m going to have to look for this movie. You make it sound so interesting. And I bet it’s a tear-jerker ;o) LOL. The poem is beautiful and takes my breath away.

delete reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on May 27, ’09 The movie was wonderful and one I never tire of watching. This work of Wordsworth captures the essence of nostalgia….such wisdom in these words. It’s so much fun to read your movie/poetry blogs !

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on May 27, ’09 bostonsdandd said And I bet it’s a tear-jerker ;o) LOL. Yeah, it is, but it’s worth it.

delete reply gypsy4you wrote on May 27, ’09 I enjoy this blog emensely also.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on May 28, ’09 gypsy4you said enjoy this blog emensely also. I’m glad !

delete reply forgetmenot525 wrote on May 28, ’09 You seem to beb having a bit of a Wordsworth week, he seems to go particularly well with this time of year, another very nice page laurita, i especially like the video, brings it all to life.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on May 28, ’09 caffeinatedjo said I never saw that movie, nor did I realize the connection between Wordsworth’s poem and the movie. I need to rent it. Jo, if you rent it, I promise that not only will you enjoy the movie, you will also understand the connection between the poem and the movie. This is an American classic.

fluffyj

sassyangelac

skeezicks1957

tinallee57

rosiefielding2

Viewing History

Viewed 27 times by 20 people, latest on Feb 1, ’09

Viewing History

View This Page as Another User