One of its stars is the drunk and drugged Montgomery Clift, who had recently been disfigured in a car accident. He plays a surgeon knowledgable about psychology but his bizarre performance makes him look more in need of help than anyone else in the film.
The other stars were Elizabeth Taylor, who was at the peak of her popularity, and Katharine Hepburn.
The plot has Hepburn, playing a wealthy woman, promise the doctor a large amount of money for his New Orleans hospital if he lobotomizes her niece, played by Liz. It seems that Liz upset Kate by babbling about her deceased poet son, a pederast.
It is based on a Tennessee Williams play and was produced by Sam Spiegel, who had done pretty well in the 50s. His productions included THE AFRICAN QUEEN, ON THE WATERFRONT and BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI.
The director was Joseph Mankiewicz. His screenwriter brother Herman was never able to top his best work, his co-writing of CITIZEN KANE. And Joe was never able to surpass his best work, writing and directing the wonderful ALL ABOUT EVE – although his track record was not as dismal as Herman’s.
Joe, a very witty guy, has been discussed in many great Hollywood stories. He was a producer when he introduced Spencer Tracy to Kate, who wondered if she was too tall for her leading man. “Don’t worry, Kate, he’ll cut you down to size,” Joe said.
Sadly, that amicable relationship ended on SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER. After everything had been filmed, Kate stood in front of Mankiewicz and spat at him. She thought he had treated both her and Clift badly during the filming.

And the cannibalism? Liz’s character remembers the poet trying to pick up a young man. Instead he is dismembered and eaten by a band of starving Spanish urchins.

Actually, the background about the movie may be more interesting than the actual film. But it was another big hit for Spiegel.

Richard – Did you have the tip of your pinkie in your mouth while exuding that evil laugh? Or is that reserved for ransom requests? I can’t remember.

“But man is a carnivorous production,
And must have meals, at least one meal a day;
He cannot live, like woodcocks, upon suction,
But, like the shark and tiger, must have prey.”

Byron– “DON JUAN’ Canto II St. 67