Cary Scott (Jane Wyman) is an upper-class widow living in suburban New England. Since the death of her husband, she’s been living a quiet life. Her social life revolves around her grown-up son and daughter’s weekend visits, and meeting her country club friends. When she falls in love with her much younger gardener (Rock Hudson), she becomes the talk of the town… facing criticism from her children and peers. After putting the opinions of others above herself for so long, she must decide between living her life for others or finally living for herself.

Douglas Sirk’s 1955 melodrama provides a critique of conformity in society, class, and the role of a widowed woman in 1950s America. We chose to show this film as we felt it was important to show that even now, 70 years later, the themes of All That Heaven Allows remain as relevant in modern America today, as they were back then.

Too Much: Melodrama on Film

Running from October - December 2025, Too Much: Melodrama on Film is a UK wide programme supported by BFI and BFI FAN which celebrates the visual excess and dramatic potency of a form of cinema which champions emotional intensity over propriety and ‘good taste’. This autumn, we're presenting live events and classic titles, to make you swoon, weep and make a scene!

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Dementia-Friendly Screenings

From musicals to comedies, golden-age classics to brand-new hits, enjoy a friendly, accessible, and dignified trip to the cinema. Tickets just £5. Showroom Cinema is proud to be a recognised dementia-friendly organisation, working in association with The Alzheimer’s Society, offering a regular dementia-friendly screening on the last Tuesday of each month.

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Director Douglas Sirk
Year 1955
Duration 1h 38m
Language English
Cast Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead