Marjorie Morningstar (film)

Marjorie Morningstar
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Irving Rapper
Screenplay by	Everett Freeman
Based on	Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
Produced by	Milton Sperling
Starring	Gene Kelly Natalie Wood Claire Trevor Ed Wynn Everett Sloane Martin Milner Carolyn Jones
Cinematography	Harry Stradling
Edited by	Folmar Blangsted
Music by	Max Steiner
Color process	WarnerColor
Production company	Beachwold Productions
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	April 24, 1958 (1958-04-24)
Running time	123 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2 million[1]
Box office	$3 million (US and Canada rentals)[2][3]

Marjorie Morningstar is a 1958 American drama film directed by Irving Rapper from a screenplay by Everett Freeman, based on the 1955 novel of the same name by Herman Wouk. The film tells a fictional coming-of-age story about a Jewish girl named Marjorie Morgenstern in New York City in the 1950s, chronicling her attempts to become an artist—exemplified through her relationship with the actor and playwright Noel Airman. The film stars Gene Kelly and Natalie Wood, with Claire Trevor, Ed Wynn, Everett Sloane, Martin Milner, and Carolyn Jones.

The central conflict in the film revolves around the traditional models of social behavior and religious behavior expected by New York Jewish families in the 1950s, and Marjorie's desire to follow an unconventional path. The film is notable for its inclusion of Jewish religious scenes—including a Passover meal, a synagogue sequence, and Jewish icons in the Morgenstern house. These depictions were one of the first times Jewish religion was portrayed overtly in film since The Jazz Singer (1927). The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("A Very Precious Love"), sung by Kelly.