By Love Possessed (film)

By Love Possessed
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Sturges
Written byCharles Schnee (as "John Dennis")
Based onBy Love Possessed
by James Gould Cozzens
Produced byWalter Mirisch
StarringLana Turner
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Jason Robards
George Hamilton
CinematographyRussell Metty
Edited byFerris Webster
Music byElmer Bernstein
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • July 19, 1961 (1961-07-19) (U.S.)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2 million[1]

By Love Possessed is a 1961 American drama film distributed by United Artists. The movie was directed by John Sturges, and written by Charles Schnee,[2] based on the novel by James Gould Cozzens.

Lana Turner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jason Robards Jr., George Hamilton and Susan Kohner head the cast. Hamilton called it "an Ivy League Peyton Place".[3] The supporting cast features Thomas Mitchell, Barbara Bel Geddes, Everett Sloane, Carroll O'Connor, and Jean Willes.

The theme song is performed by Vic Damone. This was director Sturges' first film project after his Western classic, The Magnificent Seven.

On July 19, 1961, this became the first in-flight movie to be shown on a regular basis on a scheduled airline flight, by Trans World Airlines to its first-class passengers.

Walter Mirsch later said "The lack of success either artistically or commercially of By Love Possessed... was a psychological and emotional blow as well as a huge personal disappointment."[4]

  1. ^ "1961 Rentals and Potential". Variety. 10 Jan 1961. p. 58.
  2. ^ "By Love Possessed". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  3. ^ George Hamilton & William Stadiem, Don't Mind If I Do, Simon & Schuster 2008 p 148
  4. ^ Mirsch p 120