Forster Hirsch once commented, “A movie based on a (Tennessee) Williams play is a Williams film.” This statement, for the most part, rings true in the film adaptation of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Unlike many other film adaptations of plays and novels, there were few changes when the play was taken from stage to screen. The setting is the same, although the film takes the audience to a few scenes, such as a bowling alley, that are not present in the original play, due to the limitations of the theater. The representations of the characters (Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski, Vivian Leigh as Blanche Dubois and Kim Hunter as Stella Dubois) are consistent with the descriptions in the play. The only true difference between the play and the film was the watering down and even elimination of adult themes and sexuality in the film. These changes were instigated by censors, such as Joseph Breen of the Production Code Administration, who believed that “A Streetcar Named Desire” was too vulgar and immoral for the everyday audience. 68 major and minor changes to the screenplay served to eliminate mention of homosexuality, nymphomania, and rape from the film.
The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” revolves around a genteel southern woman named Blanche who comes to live with her sister Stella and Stella’s husband, Stanley, after suffering an alleged breakdown. Blanche has been a nervous wreck ever since she discovered her former husband was homosexual and he committed suicide. Blanche believes her self to be of an upper crust, possessing “beauty of the mind and richness of the spirit and tenderness of the heart.” She also claims to adhere to old-fashioned standards During Blanche’s stay, it is revealed to her sister and brother-in-law, as well as her new-found lover, that she is not as “pure” as she claims, having lied about her age, about the real reason she left her teaching position (engaging in sexual relations with a high school boy) and her general sexual promiscuity In the end, Stanley, an aggressive and abusive man, rapes Blanche, and afterwards, sends her to a mental institution.
While explaining Blanche’s former husband and the factors that influenced his suicide, “A Streetcar Named Desire” briefly explored the morality of homosexuality. During the play, Blanche has a flashback to her husband’s suicide during which she reveals that she discovered her husband’s homosexuality, “In the worst of all possible ways. By coming suddenly into a room that I thought was empty-which wasn’t empty but had two people in it…the boy I had married and an older man who had been his friend for years.” Shocked by this discovery, Blanche later reveals her disapproval to her husband and informs him that she is disgusted by his behavior. Shortly thereafter, Blanche’s husband commits suicide. For the film, this scene was altered to include the suicide, but eliminated all mention of homosexuality. These changes were made in order to follow rules of the Motion Picture Production Code that forbade behaviors such as homosexuality, which were considered “morally repugnant.”
Another scene that was altered took place near the end of the play. In the play, lines such as “Maybe you wouldn’t be so bad to interfere with,” and “We’ve had this date from the beginning” made it clear that Stanley intended to rape Blanche. These lines were cut from the film, and the rape was made to look more like a beating than sexual assault. The ending was also changed in a way that punished Stanley for his attack on Blanche. In the film, Stella decides to leave Stanley for good, upon realizing that he abused Blanche. This is much different than the ending of the original play, which is much more ambiguous. In the play, Stella watches as Blanche is taken to a mental institution, and then, deciding to believe Stanley’s lies regarding the rape, allows herself to be consoled by him.
In addition to removing all mention of homosexuality and rape from the screenplay, all actions and statements that even vaguely referred to sexual themes were removed or altered. This is especially true for the character Blanche, who is a promiscuous nymphomaniac in the play, but a demure and innocent woman in the film. Several lines referencing sex were cut from the film. This included a scene where Blanche asks minor character Mitch “Voulez vou couche avec moi, ce soir?” upon learning that he does not understand French. This line directly translates to “Would you like to have sex with me tonight?” and was clearly considered inappropriate by the Production Code Administration. Another altered scene is one in which Blanche tells an adolescent that she would like to, “kiss you…softly and sweetly on your mouth!” She also tells the boy, “I’ve got to be good-and keep my hands off children.” Both lines, being thought to make Blanche appear overtly sexual, were eliminated from the film.
In removing scenes that even hinted at sexuality, The Production Code Administration sought to make the film less erotic, and more in line with “family values.” Scenes involving homosexuality, rape and sexual promiscuity were altered or cut from the film in attempt to make it more wholesome. However, this scheme ultimately failed, because entire film was premised on adult themes that were still revealed through metaphor after more overt lines were cut. The film was eventually approved for release, but still managed to shock audiences. While Williams and director Kazan lost their battle with the censors, they ultimately were victorious, for their influence led to the reversal of the Production Code, which was changed to allow for sexuality and adult themes in certain movies. Not only did the censorship of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” lead to a new Production Code, it increased the power of the symbolism and adult themes and left audiences with an unforgettable, highly thought-provoking film.
