This is by far the best of the four novels by John O'Hara that have so far been adapted for the big screen (Pal Joey was a volume of short stories - and contrary to what one reviewer states here, O'Hara wrote Ten North Frederick in 1955 and won the National Book Award in 1956 whilst the film of Pal Joey was released in 1957; Chronologically in terms of publication the four novels were Butterfield 8, A Rage To Live, Ten North Frederick and From The Terrace. Although cutting it dramatically - the novel covers the entire life of the protagonist, the film merely the last five years - writer/director Philip Dunne has wisely retained a great deal of O'Hara's dialogue. I've never been a huge admirer of Gary Cooper but he is ideal casting as Joe Chapin, decency personified, whilst it would be hard to improve on Geraldine Fitzgerald as the wife/mother from hell. Cas support several viewings.
Review of Ten North Frederick
