A study of the impact of a handsome, virile and egotistical drifter on the lives of five women in a small Kansas town over Labor Day Weekend. Based on the William Inge play. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Director. Academy Awards: Best (Color) Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Film Editing.

An award-winning film adaptation of the William Inge play. Hal Carter is an arrogant drifter who sets off dramatic fireworks when he visits a quiet Kansas town to see an old friend. Before long he has managed to steal Madge Owens, the most attractive girl in town, away from his pal. Much of the drama takes place in the midst of the town's annual Labor Day picnic.
Among the many other memorable characters in the film are a spinster school teacher who desperately longs for the security of marriage, and Madge's jealous younger sister, Millie.

Shot in CinemaScope. Color by Technicolor.

Film debut for actor Cliff Robertson.

Additional cast: Elizabeth W. Wilson (Christine Schoenwalder), Don C. Harvey (1st Policeman), and Steve Benton (2nd Policeman).

On stage, Ralph Meeker originated the part of Hal Carter, played here by William Holden. Other members of the Broadway cast were Janice Rule (Madge Owens), and Kim Stanley (Millie Owens). Arthur O'Connell reprised the role of Howard Devans.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Dual Side - Single Layer
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital Stereo - Spanish, Portuguese
Dolby Surround - English
Subtitles - English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. BELL, BOOK & CANDLE
3. PAL JOEY
4. BORN YESTERDAY
5. ALVAREZ KELLY
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Biographies: Cast & Crew
Stills/Photos: Montage with Music
Publicity

William Holden: American actor, STALAG 17, SUNSET BOULEVARD, NETWORK
Susan Strasberg: American Actress
Kim Novak: American Actress, VERTIGO (1958)
Rosalind Russell: American Actress
Cliff Robertson: American Actor
Betty Field: American Character Actress
Arthur O'Connell: Character Actor, FANTASTIC VOYAGE, ANATOMY OF A MURDER
Verna Felton: 

Joshua Logan: American Director/Playwright

Fred Kohlmar: American Producer

Daniel Taradash: American Screenwriter/Director

George Duning: American Film Composer

Charles Nelson: American Editor
William A. Lyon: American Editor

"...PICNIC exudes the irresistible pull of nostalgia....PICNIC is a classic..."
"...Holden and Novak dancing to 'Moonglow' is still among the moments that define '50s pop cinema..."