From the Terrace is a drama directed by Mark Robson and released by 20th Century Fox in 1960. The screenplay was written by Ernest Lehman and based on the novel by John O'Hara. The storyline explores the premise that divorce in the 1950s was socially scandalous and financially disastrous. Alfred Eaton (Paul Newman) comes home from World War II to become a financial advisor under the watchful eye of ultra-conservative J.D. MacHardie (Felix Aylmer). Alfred's father (Leon Ames) is a cold-blooded man and his mother (Myrna Loy) is an alcoholic. This upbringing causes Alfred to try to prove himself in his career as he marries socialite Mary St. John (Joanne Woodward). Alfred is unable to express his emotions, causing Mary to have an affair with another man (Patrick O'Neal). Alfred then begins his own affair with the younger Natalie Benzinger (Ina Balin). He is then confronted with choices that change his priorities.moreless