Tea and Sympathy is a 1956 American drama film and an adaptation of Robert Anderson's 1953 stage play of the same name directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Pandro S. Berman for MGM in Metrocolor.

Edward Andrews, Darryl Hickman, Norma Crane, Tom Laughlin, and Dean Jones were featured in supporting roles.

Laura tries to build a connection with the young man, often inviting him alone to tea, and eventually falls in love with him, in part because of his many similarities to her first husband, John, who was killed in World War II.

The situation escalates when Tom is goaded into visiting the local prostitute, Ellie (Norma Crane), to dispel suspicions about his sexuality, but things go badly.

"[3] In the film, the story's climax is written as transpiring in a "sylvan glade", while in the original play the scene takes place in the dormitory room of the student.

[3] 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.