Cynthia | Rotten Tomatoes

Cynthia

1947

1 hr. 38 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

Reviews

41%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Cynthia Bishop (Elizabeth Taylor) has always been a sickly girl, and her parents (Mary Astor, George Murphy) have grown fiercely protective of their darling daughter. When Cynthia wins a starring role in the school musical, her parents forbid her to accept it, fearful that the required effort will be too much for their fragile daughter. But, inspired by her supportive boyfriend and first love, Ricky (Jimmy Lydon), Cynthia decides to perform whether her parents like it or not.

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Steve D

Really sappy given its stars.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

ashley h

Cynthia is a disappointing film. It is about a sick girl who finds an outlet in music. Elizabeth Taylor and George Murphy give horrible performances. The screenplay is badly written. Robert Z. Leonard did a terrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

so-so film of first love in a small town, featuring Liz's first onscreen kiss with an actor who's been mostly forgotten now. The basic premise is whether protective parenting doesn't actually smother a child. The phrase "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" comes to mind. Basic cinematography & directing make this feel a bit like episodic TV just edited together to create a smooth flowing movie. Though fans of film may enjoy seeing a cadre of solid actors hitting their marks and salvaging this film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Quaint and kind of silly, but the story was sweet and kind of a nice break from all of the movie riddled with cynicism that get released today.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Robert Z. Leonard

Director

Elizabeth Taylor

Cynthia Bishop

George Murphy

Larry Bishop

Mary Astor

Louise Bishop

S.Z. Sakall

Prof. Rosenkrantz

Gene Lockhart

Dr. Fred I. Jannings

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James Agee

TIME Magazine

At its best, it is pleasantly reminiscent of the late Booth Tarkington. At its worst, it slops over with such cheap laughs as the writhings of a tuxedoed adolescent with a recalcitrant shirt front.

Mar 2, 2018

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Synopsis

Cynthia Bishop (Elizabeth Taylor) has always been a sickly girl, and her parents (Mary Astor, George Murphy) have grown fiercely protective of their darling daughter. When Cynthia wins a starring role in the school musical, her parents forbid her to accept it, fearful that the required effort will be too much for their fragile daughter. But, inspired by her supportive boyfriend and first love, Ricky (Jimmy Lydon), Cynthia decides to perform whether her parents like it or not.

Director: Robert Z. Leonard
Screenwriter: Harold Buchman, Charles Kaufman
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jul 20, 2009