The Cardinal movie storyline. Stephen Fermoyle has grown up in Boston at the turn of the twentieth century knowing that his destiny lies with the Catholic priesthood. Finally finishing his studies in Rome, he returns to America full of certitude and ambition to one day join the College of Cardinals. But his road to that office is a long one, paved with crises.
In Boston, he must decide whether to save the life of his sister or her unborn child, conceived out of wedlock. In Austria, he confronts the question of whether to remain with the priesthood or abandon his oath so that he can be with the woman he loves. In Georgia, he contends with Rome’s indifference in the face of racial bigotry. And in Austria, he finds himself personally involved in the church’s dealings with the Third Reich.
The Cardinal is a 1963 American drama film which was produced independently and directed by Otto Preminger, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The screenplay was written by Robert Dozier, based on the novel of the same name (1950) by Henry Morton Robinson.
Its cast featured Tom Tryon, Romy Schneider and John Huston, and it was nominated for six Academy Awards. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama, marking the third time, following East of Eden (1955) and Spartacus (1960), and the last time (as of 2019) a film won that category without later being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Preminger was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director; John Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Huston’s role as Cardinal Glennon was his official debut as an actor although he had previously played bit roles in several films including his own The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948). Other Academy Awards nominations were for Best Cinematography (Leon Shamroy), Best Art Direction (Lyle R. Wheeler and set decorator Gene Callahan), Best Costume Design (Donald Brooks), and Best Film Editing (Louis R. Loeffler).
The film was shot on location in Boston, in Stamford, Connecticut, and in Rome and Vienna. The music score was written by Jerome Moross. The Cardinal featured the final appearance by veteran film star Dorothy Gish as well as the last big-screen performance of Maggie McNamara. The Cardinal was the 18th highest-grossing film of the year. It grossed $11,170,588 in the United States, earning $5.46 million in domestic rentals.
Robinson’s novel was based on the life of Cardinal Francis Spellman, who was then Archbishop of New York. The Vatican’s liaison officer for the film was Rev. Dr. Joseph Ratzinger, later to become Pope Benedict XVI. The story touches on various social issues such as interfaith marriage, sex outside marriage, abortion, racial bigotry, the rise of fascism and war.
The Cardinal (1963)
Directed by: Otto Preminger
Starring: Tom Tryon, John Huston, Romy Schneider, Carol Lynley, Dorothy Gish, Maggie McNamara, Bill Hayes, Cameron Prud’Homme, Cecil Kellaway, Loring Smith, John Saxon, James Hickman
Screenplay by: Robert Dozier, Ring Lardner, Jr.
Production Design by: Lyle R. Wheeler
Cinematography by: Leon Shamroy
Film Editing by: Louis R. Loeffler
Costume Design by: Donald Brooks
Set Decoration by: Gene Callahan
Music by: Jerome Moross
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures
Release Date: December 12, 1963
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