Two aging playboys are both after the same attractive young woman, but she fends them off by claiming that she plans to remain a virgin until her wedding night. Both men determine to find a way around her objections.
A charming but manipulative woman, Cathy Timberlake, engineers a series of encounters with a successful architect, David Slater, in hopes of marrying him for his wealth. However, her plans become complicated when David's father, a judge, becomes suspicious of her intentions and his son's relationship with her.
The Moon Is Blue was a significant film for its time, lauded for its sophisticated wit and frank depiction of sexual suggestion, which pushed the boundaries of the Hays Code. While some critics found its dialogue and themes slightly risqué, it was generally praised for its performances and Preminger's bold direction, becoming a commercial success and a cultural talking point.
Google audience: Viewers appreciated the film's sharp humor and the compelling performances of the lead actors. The movie's progressive themes for the 1950s were also highlighted as a positive aspect, making it a memorable and enjoyable watch.
Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Actress (Maggie McNamara), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography (Color). Maggie McNamara also received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actress.
The film famously bypassed the Production Code's restrictions on suggestive dialogue and themes, leading to its production and distribution without a seal of approval from the Hays Office. This was a significant event in the history of Hollywood censorship.
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