Based on the hit Broadway play, Anna Lucasta is "a searing, illuminating family drama" (The Film Daily). Sultry siren Eartha Kitt is "vibrantly sexy" (Los Angeles Times) as a lascivious lady of the night, and cool cat Samm... more »y Davis, Jr., displays "tremendous appeal and power" (Cue) in this torrid tale of love and greed. When wild child Anna Lucasta (Kitt) is banished from the family home by her self-righteous father, she falls into a life of prostitution and into the arms of street-wise sailor Danny Johnson (Davis). But after Anna shocks them all by finally finding true love with a well-heeled young suitor, her unforgiving father sets a vengeful plan in motion to remind his daughter of her sordid past and destroy her future forever!« less
"A bitter, alcoholic "religious" father has an unnatural hatred for his wayward daughter Anna (Eartha Kitt) and when his greedy family hatches a plan to marry her off for money to the college graduate son of an old family friend, the old man nearly has a seizure. But he's brow-beaten into retrieving her by his scheming son-in-law. The father drove Anna out of the house years ago due to her alleged promiscuity and she's now a waterfront prostitute and the sometime girlfriend of sailor Danny (Sammy Davis Jr.). She's down-and-out so she reluctantly returns home with her father. But the unexpected happens and she falls in love with the young college man. Then the stuff hits the fan as the wedding day draws near as the father has plans of his own. Based on Philip Yordan's play, this b&w adaptation is juicy and well acted. Kitt is good as Anna and Davis Jr. matches her as the footloose Danny. The entire cast is in tune with the tone of the script and the underlying theme (incest) surfaces despite the restrictions of the time. Davis sings the title song and even gets to show off his dancing skills. The DVD looks good and is worth a look for those interested in rare, unusual films. Very adult for the time and very well done all around. Recommended."
Anna Lucasta
T. Williams | Moreno Valley,Ca | 08/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anna Lucasta is a good movie in any era......Its superbly done and shows the great Eartha Kitt at the height of her sexual powers.......This was a sassy,sexy,beauty in her day.....She had "IT" Just like marilyn Monroe did.
Sammy is at his best and brings energy and a caring side to his bad boy part.
This film also has a part with the actor James Edwards A fine actor and was really slated to play some serious roles before Belafonte or Portier but could not handle racism in the Industry and spoke out when he maybe should have kept his opinions private.
Great Movie.. That deals with a lot of family issues. A must see!! For anyone who appreciates that Black Hollywood era.
Ted"
White hot !
jeverr wonder | chicago | 01/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"a white hot film with witty rapidfire dialogue that burns into the brain like a cigarette snuffed out on the back of your neck ! Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis Jr team up and deliver a lifetime of drama in an hour and a half ."
A "Great" Movie
John Boland | USA | 07/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I read the life story of Sydney Poitier recently. (Recommended very much) This "play" was listed as one of the plays the young Sydney Poitier played in in summer stock. That's why I have been viewing several of Sydney Poitier's films like "A Raisin In The Sun" (very highly recommended also). This movie isn't quite up to "A Raisin in the Sun" but it's close. The acting is superb, the story is very involving, the writing is clever, and the star power of Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis Jr. is strong. I think you'll miss a "good 'un" if you pass this one up---even though it was made in black and white---but don't get me started on that topic! Boland7214@aol."
It was a trip out film
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 03/22/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i enjoyed watching this film recently. i dug the Humor&the way the family did there thing. the pacing&acting were all very good. Sammy Davis Jr truly did a very good job. Eartha Kitt was alright. Rex Ingram did a good Job as well.i like how this film was done. nothing was over the top."