Bosley Crowther of The New York Times gave the film a positive review and felt the movie was faithful to the play despite obvious Motion Picture Production Code alterations. However, Crowther felt the film's addition of a post-script featuring "an apologetic letter from the 'fallen woman' " was "preachy ... prudish and unnecessary", and recommended that cinemagoers leave after the line "Years from now, when you talk about this—and you will—be kind."[4]
Deborah Kerr said in regard to the screenplay that "I think Robert Anderson has done a fine job."[3]
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
- 2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated[5]
- 2005: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:
- Laura Reynolds: "Years from now, when you talk about this -- and you will -- be kind." – Nominated[6]
Box office
According to MGM records, the film earned $2,145,000 in the U.S.. and Canada and $1.3 million in other markets, resulting in a loss of $220,000.[1]
