Lolita

Lolita, motion-picture adaptation of the controversial 1955 novel by Vladimir Nabokov about a pedophilic British professor living in Ohio. Released in 1962, this film was directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars James Mason as Humbert Humbert. A loud, quasi-intellectual widow named Charlotte Haze (played by Shelley Winters) sets her romantic sights on the professor, but he is more interested in her 15-year-old daughter, Lolita (Sue Lyon). Humbert marries Charlotte to be near the girl, and when his wife eventually discovers the truth, she runs out of the house screaming and is killed by an oncoming car. Meanwhile, Lolita develops interest in boys her age and falls under the influence of an insane television producer named Clare Quilty (Peter Sellers), who becomes Humbert’s bitter rival.

Director

• Stanley Kubrick

Cast

• James Mason (Humbert Humbert)
• Sue Lyon (Lolita Haze)
• Shelley Winters (Charlotte Haze)
• Peter Sellers (Clare Quilty)
• Marianne Stone (Vivian Darkbloom)
• Diana Decker (Jean Farlow)
• Jerry Stovin (John Farlow)
• Gary Cockrell (Dick)
• Suzanne Gibbs (Mona Farlow)
• Roberta Shore (Lorna)
• Eric Lane (Roy)
• Shirley Douglas (Mrs. Starch)
• Roland Brand (Bill)
• Colin Maitland (Charlie)
• Cec Linder (Physician)
• Irvin Allen (Hospital attendant)
• Lois Maxwell (Nurse Mary Lore)
• William E. Greene (Swine)
• C. Denier Warren (Potts)
• Isobel Lucas (Haze maid)
• Maxine Holden (Hotel receptionist)
• Marion Mathie (Miss Lebone)
• Craig Sams (Rex)
• John Harrison (Tom)
• James Dyrenforth (Beale senior)

Trivia

• Author Nabokov adapted his own novel for the film’s screenplay, which was nominated, but did not win, an Academy Award.

Quote

• Charlotte Haze: “Do you believe in God?”
• Humbert: “The question is does God believe in me?”