Item description for *Vincente Minnelli's TEA AND SYMPATHY (1956) LGBTQ Tennis Player at Boy's School

Vintage original 8x10 in. US single-weight glossy photograph from the classic 1950's LGBTQ-themed drama, TEA AND SYMPATHY, released in 1956 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and directed by Vincente Minnelli. A new senior at a boy's prep school (John Kerr) finds himself harassed by the machismo culture of his classmates and the unfeelingly behavior by his father, only being treated with decency by his roommate and with affection by the coach's wife (Deborah Kerr). The cast includes Leif Erickson, Edward Andrews, Darryl Hickman, Norma Crane, Dean Jones, and Jacqueline deWit.

The image features an exterior shot of a "misunderstood schoolboy," Tom Robinson Lee (John Kerr) playing tennis on the courts at an all-boy's school as some of his fellow classmates watch him. On the verso is the original printed caption that describes the image and the film. It is in fine+ condition with a very small vertical tear on the bottom border and a few scattered small creases and areas of light discoloration in the borders. There are no pinholes, stains, creases, writing, or other flaws.

This film was adapted from a Broadway play that originally starred Deborah Kerr, John Kerr, and Leif Erickson, who recreated their stage roles in this film. Also in the Broadway cast in supporting roles were Alan Sues (who later appeared on TV's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967)) and Dick York (the first actor who played Darrin on TV's Bewitched (1964), starring Elizabeth Montgomery). Joan Fontaine and Anthony Perkins also later appeared in the stage version of Tea and Sympathy as cast replacements during its long run. The stage production opened on Sept. 30, 1953 at the Ethel Barrymoore Theatre and ran for 712 performances. Bringing the play to the screen resulted in a years-long struggle with the production code office and the Catholic National Legion of Decency because of the play's inclusion of homosexuality, adultery, and prostitution. At one point, there was consideration that the film be produced by an independent production company outside of the studio system.