The 30+ Best Joanne Woodward Movies
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- 1Joanne Woodward, Lee J. Cobb, David WayneSuffering from headaches and inexplicable blackouts, timid housewife Eve White (Joanne Woodward) begins seeing a psychiatrist, Dr. Luther (Lee J. Cobb). He's stunned when she transforms before his eyes into the lascivious Eve Black, and diagnoses her as having multiple personalities. It's not long before a third, calling herself Jane, also appears. Through hypnosis and continued therapy, Luther struggles to help Eve recall the trauma that caused her identity to fracture.More The Three Faces of Eve
- #14 of 73 onThe Best Movies About Split Personalities
- #23 of 39 onThe Best Medical Movies Based on True Stories
- #9 of 36 onGreat Movies About a Mental Breakdown
- 2Joanne Woodward, James Olson, Kate HarringtonWritten off as a spinster, 35-year-old schoolteacher Rachel Cameron (Joanne Woodward) lives with her widowed mother above a funeral parlor in rural Connecticut. Repressed by the community and given to despondency, Rachel spends her time daydreaming, buoyed by her lesbian best friend, Calla (Estelle Parsons). A religious experience begins a subtle awakening in Rachel, and when a childhood friend returns to town for his father's funeral, she experiences real, driving passion.
- 3Joanne Woodward, Nell Potts, Roberta WallachWidow Beatrice Hunsdorfer (Joanne Woodward) likes to say she's planning to open an upscale tea room, but in reality she's incapable of handling even the most pedestrian of life's responsibilities. A terrible homemaker and a questionable parent, she's a constant embarrassment to her two daughters. Ruth (Roberta Wallach) is given to rebellious acting out and seems destined to turn out like her mother, while Matilda (Nell Potts) is more thoughtful and likely to transcend her unfortunate childhood.
- 4Marlon Brando, Anna Magnani, Joanne WoodwardWhen drifter Valentine Xavier (Marlon Brando) arrives in a southern town, he catches the eye of the married Lady Torrance (Anna Magnani) and the oversexed alcoholic, Carol Cutrere (Joanne Woodward). Both vie for his attention, with Lady Torrance emerging victorious, offering Xavier employment in her general store, while her cancer-stricken husband is bedridden upstairs. After impregnating Lady Torrance and butting heads with friends of her husband, Xavier must make a crucial decision.
- 5Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony FranciosaHandsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).More The Long, Hot Summer
- #23 of 60 onThe Best Romance Movies of the '50s
- #3 of 75 onThe Best Movies With Summer in the Title
- #18 of 55 onThe 55 Best Movies of 1958
- 6Joanne Woodward, John Malkovich, Karen AllenTom Wingfield looks back on his relationship with his mother, Amanda, and sister, Laura, all of whom were abandoned by patriarch Mr. Wingfield 16 years earlier. Tom chafes at his dead-end job, while Amanda longs for the security of the past and frets anxiously about prospects for Laura, who has a crippled foot that has left her vulnerable and insecure. Tom invites a friend to dinner, whom Laura has known from school, raising Amanda's and Laura's hopes that a romantic match is possible.
- 7Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Robert Sean LeonardA rich Midwestern lawyer (Paul Newman), his wife (Joanne Woodward) and their children grow apart in the World War II era.
- 8Joanne Woodward, Martin Balsam, Sylvia SidneyMiddle-aged, middle-class New Yorker Rita Walden (Joanne Woodward), already prone to depression and nightmares, is thrown into an emotional tailspin by the sudden death of her mother (Sylvia Sidney). Settling her mother's estate dredges up memories of her idyllic childhood on the family farm, and of her adolescent crush on one of the farm workers, a painful contrast to her strained relationships with her two grown children and her war-haunted optometrist husband, Harry (Martin Balsam).
- 9Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, Brad DavisThis tale of child abuse and and its deep psychological scars, based on a true story, follows Sybil (Sally Field), an introverted student living alone in New York City who suffers from multiple personality disorder. Haunted by nightmares of her past, Sybil starts seeing a psychiatrist named Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur (Joanne Woodward). When Dr. Wilbur discovers Sybil has over a dozen different personalities, she becomes obsessed with uncovering her patient's tortured childhood in order to heal her.More Sybil
- #17 of 73 onThe Best Movies About Split Personalities
- #27 of 62 onThe 60+ Best Movies About Therapists
- #59 of 74 onThe Best Doctor Movies
- 10Yul Brynner, Joanne Woodward, Margaret LeightonThe once-prominent Compson family of Jefferson, Miss., has been reduced to near-penury by generations of alcoholism and sin. Levelheaded Jason (Yul Brynner) struggles to keep the family together, but his teenage stepsister, Quentin (Joanne Woodward), chafes against his strictures. When Quentin's estranged mother (Margaret Leighton) reappears in town and carnival worker Charles (Stuart Whitman) attempts to seduce the virginal teen, the family may finally be headed for complete collapse.
- 11Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Myrna LoyAlfred Eaton (Paul Newman) returns home after World War II, driven to be as successful as possible out of hatred toward his wealthy father (Leon Ames). He is unendingly ambitious: founding an aircraft construction company with his friend Lex (George Grizzard), marrying a socialite (Joanne Woodward) and leveraging a fortunate encounter with a powerful financier (Felix Aylmer) into a new career. When he meets the beautiful, truthful Natalie (Ina Balin), Alfred has a crisis of conscience.
- 12
Breathing Lessons
James Garner, Joanne Woodward, Kathryn ErbeWhen the husband of their friend Serena (Joyce Van Patten) dies, Ira (James Garner) and Maggie Moran (Joanne Woodward), an older married couple, make an event out of their day's travel to the funeral. Examining life and marriage on their journey, the couple of 29 years remains as in love today as when they first met -- despite being near opposites in personality. However, their love and respect for one another cut through all the differences between them. - 13George C. Scott, Joanne Woodward, Jack GilfordAfter the death of his wife, wealthy retiree Justin Playfair (George C. Scott) creates a fantasy world for himself in which he is the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, even dressing like the character. Out of concern for Justin's money more than his health, his brother Blevins puts him under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). As Dr. Watson grows fond of Justin, she begins to play along with his theories, eventually becoming an assistant in his investigations.
- 14Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason RobardsIn the groundbreaking film Philadelphia, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), a talented lawyer, battles an unjust firing after his law firm discovers he's HIV-positive. Aiding him in this fierce legal fight is Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a small-time attorney who initially harbors prejudice against those with AIDS. This drama, directed by Jonathan Demme, tackles societal discrimination head-on and scored Hanks an Oscar for Best Actor in 1994. As the narrative unfolds, it unflinchingly showcases the struggles of individuals living with AIDS during a less informed time.More Philadelphia
- #18 of 241 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #54 of 125 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #96 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The 1990s
- 15Joanne Woodward, Tony Randall, Sheree NorthIn an average suburban California apartment complex, the quiet facade of domestic life begins to unravel for three contrasting married couples. Idealistic newlyweds David (Jeffrey Hunter) and Jean (Patricia Owens) confront the bitter, broken lives of their neighbors, coquettish Leola (Joanne Woodward), scheming used-car salesman Jerry (Tony Randall) and his wife, Isabelle (Sheree North). Will their love and hope withstand the corrosive effect of the fallen?
- 16Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Sidney PoitierDespite being far from home, American jazz musicians Ram Bowen (Paul Newman) and Eddie Cook (Sidney Poitier) are content living and working in Paris. Ram knows it's the best place for him to develop his musical reputation, and Eddie is far away from the racism that once greeted him on a regular basis. But after meeting and falling in love with American tourists Lillian (Joanne Woodward) and Connie (Diahann Carroll), the pair must decide whether their artistic integrity is worth abandoning.
- 17
Do You Remember Love
Joanne Woodward, Richard Kiley, Geraldine FitzgeraldBarbara Wyatt-Hollis (Joanne Woodward) is a successful college professor who must come to terms with the onset of Alzheimer's disease as it begins to affect her professional life, her marriage to her compassionate husband, George (Richard Kiley), and her grown children. As Barbara's personality and memories disappear, a husband no longer knows the woman he married, a mother (Geraldine Fitzgerald) helplessly watches her daughter's deterioration, and a son's fear and vulnerability consume him. - 18Robert Wagner, Virginia Leith, Joanne WoodwardAmoral Bud Corliss (Robert Wagner) pursues young heiress Dorie Kingship (Joanne Woodward) in the hopes of getting his hands on the fortune amassed by her father (George Macready). But after Dorie succumbs to Bud's charms and becomes pregnant as a result, he fears she'll be cut off by the family and murders her in a fashion that makes it look as if the poor girl committed suicide. When Bud tries to cozy up with Dorie's grieving sister, Ellen (Virginia Leith), she begins to suspect his intentions.
- 19Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Robert WagnerRace car driver Frank Capua (Paul Newman) holds track victories above all else, but as he competes in the string of races that lead to motoring's crown jewel, the Indianapolis 500, he finds it harder to connect with wife Elora (Joanne Woodward) and stepson Charley (Richard Thomas). When he learns that Elora is sleeping with fellow racer Luther "Lou" Erding (Robert Wagner), Frank leaves the family, but plucky Charley decides he won't stand idly by as his family disintegrates.
- 20Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony FranciosaA New Orleans oil heiress (Joanne Woodward) hires private eye Lew Harper (Paul Newman) to unravel a blackmail scheme.
- 21Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony PerkinsRheinhardt (Paul Newman) has failed in his marriage and career, and has become a cynical alcoholic. When he gets a job reading the news at right-wing radio station WUSA, he goes through the motions because it pays well, though he disagrees with the station's viewpoint. After a shy activist named Rainey (Anthony Perkins) starts inquiring about a political conspiracy centered at the station, Rheinhardt becomes troubled by what he discovers and must decide whether or not to take action.
- 22Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona RyderWealthy lawyer Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is engaged to sweet socialite May Welland (Winona Ryder) in 1870s New York. On the surface, it is a perfect match. But when May's beautiful cousin Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), who is estranged from her brutish husband, arrives in town, Newland begins to question the meaning of passion and love as he desperately pursues a relationship with Ellen, even though she has been made a social outcast by Archer's peers.More The Age of Innocence
- #255 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #285 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The 1990s
- #54 of 80 onThe Best Period Romance Movies
- 23Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason RobardsWhen a yearly high-stakes poker game begins between the five richest men in Laredo, Texas, all other activity in the Wild West town comes to a stop as everyone gathers to watch the action. Recovering gambler Meredith (Henry Fonda), passing through town on the way to San Antonio, gets roped into the game by lawyer Otto Habershaw (Kevin McCarthy). When the stress of the game becomes too much to bear, his disapproving wife, Mary (Joanne Woodward), must step in to save the family fortune.
- #185 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #32 of 46 onThe Best 1960s Western Movies, Ranked
- #51 of 76 onThe 75+ Best Movies About Gambling
- 24Sean Connery, Joanne Woodward, Jean SebergAfter years of failure, hapless poet Samson Shillitoe (Sean Connery) is at the end of his rope. But no more so than is his current wife, Rhoda (Joanne Woodward), who suffers through his daily and casual philandering. But after Rhoda reports his erratic behavior to famously brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Oliver West (Patrick O'Neal), the sociopathic Shillitoe finds himself institutionalized -- though within arm's reach of West's gorgeous partner, Dr. Vera Kropotkin (Colleen Dewhurst).
- 25Paul Newman, Joan Collins, Tuesday WeldRally Round the Flag, Boys! is a 1958 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Max Shulman, directed by Leo McCarey, starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and released by 20th Century Fox. The title comes from a line in the song "Battle Cry of Freedom".
- 26Joanne Woodward, Charles Durning, Henderson ForsytheUnassuming yet determined teacher Elizabeth Huckaby (Joanne Woodward) is caught in the middle of one of America's defining moments in the 20th century -- the racial integration of schools. Arkansas' Central High is the venue, and Huckaby and her allies must fight mounting anger and racism to allow several black students to matriculate and lead normal student lives. This film depicts that entire fateful school year, which required military intervention to guarantee the students' safety.
- 27Van Heflin, Joanne Woodward, Raymond BurrAfter fighting for the Union during the Civil War, Luke Fargo (Van Heflin) is greeted with resentment when he returns home to his small southern town. Luke has a reputation as a rogue, but he's reinvented himself as a man of God and plans to fix up the town's damaged church. Recalling their romantic past, Georgina Decrais (Allison Hayes) tries to reclaim Luke. But, to the dismay of some suspicious townspeople, he concentrates on mentoring an unsophisticated young woman, Lissy (Joanne Woodward).
- 28Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Eva GaborA New Kind of Love is a 1963 American romantic comedy film directed by Melville Shavelson and starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Frank Sinatra sings "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me" over the opening credits.
- 29Morgan Freeman, Paul Newman, Ellen BarkinHarry & Son is a 1984 American drama film directed by Paul Newman, who also stars. The screenplay by Newman and Ronald Buck focuses on the relationship between a blue-collar worker and his son, who fails at various odd jobs while aspiring to be a writer. Joanne Woodward, Ellen Barkin, Ossie Davis, Wilford Brimley and Judith Ivey also star. Much of the film was shot in Lake Worth, Florida. The movie set construction site was the demolition of the sister hotel affiliated with the Gulf Stream Hotel named The Inn.
- 30Joanne Woodward, Richard Beymer, Claire TrevorStuck in a dead-end job in a dead-end Kansas town, Lila Green (Joanne Woodward) is at the end of her rope. After she loses her job as a local magician's stage assistant, Lila moves in with neighbor Helen (Claire Trevor) and her son, Kenny (Richard Beymer). One night, Lila and Kenny give in to their mutual attraction, but immature Kenny doesn't pursue her any further. When Lila lets a new boyfriend talk her into stripping at a nearby club, her world falls even further into ruin.