A Streetcar Named Desire Film Adaptation – Controversy?

The adaptation of Tennessee William’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” truly shows the importance of set design. Interestingly, I am certain that I wouldn’t appreciate the director’s decision and the overall adaptation of the film had I not spent the time creating the diorama.

The director’s decision to keep the lights off throughout the movie and the shutter windows really added to the depressed mood that one felt throughout the entire movie. Actually hearing the varsouviana polka and gun shot rather than reading about Blanche’s mind games really added to the tension of each scene.

I conducted some outside research on the 1951 film, and realized that in addition to being the first film to win both “Best Supporting Actor” and “Best Supporting Actress”, it faced significant censorship. For example, the fact that Blanche’s husband Allan Grey committed suicide after he was discovered having a homosexual affair was removed; rather, Blanche states that her blatant scorn towards Allan drove him to suicide. Additionally, Stella’s line indicating that she wants to kiss the paperboy “softly and sweetly” was replaced with “on your mouth”.

These adaptations to the original play were suggested by the National Legion of Decency, an organization dedicated to identifying and combating objectionable content. This censorship highlights that to a certain degree, times were conservative during William’s publication of the original play.

When I read the original play, I oftentimes questioned Stella’s motives as to why she wished to stay with Stanley. I found her character to be fairly disturbing, especially when she would forgive Stanley so easily. As strange as it sounds to say, I understand why Stella was so attracted to Stanley (Marlon Brando) after watching the film. I remember the look on all of our faces when he first appeared on screen. It’s evident how the screenplay of a playwright’s work can change perceptions of the characters. After all, actually “meeting” a character has a larger impact than merely “envisioning” one while reading.