Where Does the title come from?

I have not read the book, but based on the film, I would agree with your take.

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It means the view from the terrace -- dealing with having money and being able to look down on the "little people."

Swing away, Merrill....Merrill, swing away...

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tcvll says > I know that this film is based on the John O'Hara novel, which I have read many times. But the title "From the Terrace'. Is it just that one part where Alfred states about seeing Mary and liking the view from the terrace-

I would say the title refers to the view from the terrace; not looking out but, as in that scene, looking in. Alfred was an outsider. He was close enough to taste the things he wanted they were always outside his grasp; even within his own family.

His life's ambition was to attain the things others had that he so desperately wanted for himself: Mary, wealth, success, admiration, status. Once he had them he thought, he'd also find happiness. All he had to do was set his mind to it and work hard.

First, he set out to get Mary. She was already engaged and her family wanted nothing to do with him but he turned things around and married her. Next, he set his sights on achieving success, acquiring wealth, attaining status and earning the admiration of others.

He worked hard and got all the things he set out to get but happiness still eluded him. It took meeting Natalie and her family for him to realize happiness was a lot easier to come by than he once believed. Whether on a terrace or anywhere else; wherever he may find himself, happiness comes from within.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

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