Lancaster is Doc Delaney, a mild-mannered alcoholic ex-chiropractor who has been dry for a year. Booth, his frumpy, loquacious wife, lives for the day when her lost dog, little Sheba, will return home. Theirs is a life of quiet desperation until Moore, a vibrant student, rents a room from
the tired couple. Lancaster doesn't approve of the intentions of Jaeckel, who has been dating Moore, perhaps because the young man's lust stirs painful memories for Lancaster, whose premarital relationship with Booth resulted in their shotgun wedding. Returning to the bottle, he viciously
criticizes his wife.
COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA opened Christmas week of 1952 in order to qualify for the Academy Awards. The strategy was excellent as Shirley Booth won the Oscar for Best Actress, beating out Joan Crawford (SUDDEN FEAR), Julie Harris (THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING), Bette Davis (THE STAR) and Susan Hayward
(WITH A SONG IN MY HEART). Booth's brilliant work (she originated the role on Broadway) remains etched forever in the memory of anyone who has seen this film. Moore, in her finest performance, also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. leave a comment
