The Happy Ending

The Happy Ending

Marriage is a 30 billion dollar business! And that's just to get married.

R 1969 · 112 min · ★ 6.1 · Drama

When Fred asked for Mary's hand in marriage, she thought she had the happy ending she only read about in fairy tales. Now it's 16 years later; Fred has had an affair, and Mary drowns her sorrows in pills and booze, a dangerous combination that nearly resulted in her death the year before. As Mary rushes off to the Bahamas for a relaxing escape from her crumbling marriage, she reflects on the past and wonders just where it all went wrong.

Directed by Richard Brooks · Written by Richard Brooks

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

fuboTVMGM+ Amazon ChannelPhiloMGM Plus Roku Premium ChannelMGM PlusScreenPix Apple TV channelScreenPix Amazon Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

4h 6m together

The Happy Ending

In Cold Blood

Both from Richard Brooks.

More from Richard BrooksSee all →

MGM: When the Lion RoarsMGM: When the Lion Roars · 1992
MGM: When the Lion Roars
7.91992
SeriesDocumentary
On April 24, 1924, the movies changed forever: The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio opened and soon assembled “more stars than there are in the heavens.” Patrick Stewart hosts this enthralling Emmy® winner as Outstanding Informational Series, a three-part story of M-G-M’s reign as Hollywood’s class act and legendary entertainment empire. Bursting with memorable film clips, rare interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and insider info, this is a mother lode for film fans, profiling perfectionist moguls, glamorous and charismatic actors, innovative filmmakers and landmark movies.
Cat on a Hot Tin RoofCat on a Hot Tin Roof · 1958
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
7.61958
MovieDrama
An alcoholic ex-football player drinks his days away, having failed to come to terms with his sexuality and his real feelings for his football buddy who died after an ambiguous accident. His wife is crucified by her desperation to make him desire her: but he resists the affections of his wife. His reunion with his father—who is dying of cancer—jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.
Hill Street BluesHill Street Blues · 1981
Hill Street Blues
7.61981
SeriesDramaCrime
A realistic glimpse into the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station.
In Cold BloodIn Cold Blood · 1967
In Cold Blood
7.51967
MovieCrimeDrama
After a botched robbery results in the brutal murder of a rural family, two drifters elude police, in the end coming to terms with their own mortality and the repercussions of their vile atrocity.
Key LargoKey Largo · 1948
Key Largo
7.51948
MovieCrimeThriller
A hurricane swells outside, but it's nothing compared to the storm within the hotel at Key Largo. There, sadistic mobster Johnny Rocco holes up - and holds at gunpoint hotel owner James Temple, his widowed daughter-in-law Nora, and ex-GI Frank McCloud.
The KillersThe Killers · 1946
The Killers
7.41946
MovieCrimeMystery
Two hit men walk into a diner asking for a man called "the Swede". When the killers find the Swede, he's expecting them and doesn't put up a fight. Since the Swede had a life insurance policy, an investigator, on a hunch, decides to look into the murder. As the Swede's past is laid bare, it comes to light that he was in love with a beautiful woman who may have lured him into pulling off a bank robbery overseen by another man.
Brute ForceBrute Force · 1947
Brute Force
7.31947
MovieCrimeDrama
Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?
Elmer GantryElmer Gantry · 1960
Elmer Gantry
7.31960
MovieDrama
A charismatic charlatan begins a business — and eventually romantic — relationship with a roadside evangelist to sell religion to 1920s America. Based on Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name.
The Catered AffairThe Catered Affair · 1956
The Catered Affair
7.21956
MovieDramaComedy
An Irish cabby in the Bronx watches his wife go overboard planning their daughter's wedding.
The ProfessionalsThe Professionals · 1966
The Professionals
7.11966
MovieWesternAdventure
An arrogant Texas millionaire hires four adventurers to rescue his kidnapped wife from a notorious Mexican bandit.
Blackboard JungleBlackboard Jungle · 1955
Blackboard Jungle
6.91955
MovieCrimeDrama
Richard Dadier is a teacher at North Manual High School, an inner-city school where many of the pupils frequently engage in anti-social behavior. Dadier makes various attempts to engage the students' interest in education, challenging both the school staff and the pupils. He is subjected to violence as well as duplicitous schemes.
Deadline - U.S.A.Deadline - U.S.A. · 1952
Deadline - U.S.A.
6.91952
MovieCrimeDrama
New York City newspaper The Day is in trouble. Even though editor Ed Hutcheson has worked hard running the paper, its circulation has been steadily declining. Now the publisher's widow wants to sell the paper, which will most likely mean its end. Hutcheson's only hope is to finish his exposé on a dangerous gangster before the sale is finalized.
The Last HuntThe Last Hunt · 1956
The Last Hunt
6.91956
MovieWestern
A buffalo hunter has a falling-out with his partner, who kills for fun.
Mystery StreetMystery Street · 1950
Mystery Street
6.81950
MovieCrimeThriller
When a young woman's skeletal remains turn up on a Massachusetts beach, Barnstable cop Peter Moralas teams with Boston police and uses forensics, with the help of a Harvard professor, to determine the woman's identity, how she died, and who killed her.
Lord JimLord Jim · 1965
Lord Jim
6.81965
MovieAdventureDrama
After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2000.
Sweet Bird of YouthSweet Bird of Youth · 1962
Sweet Bird of Youth
6.71962
MovieDramaRomance
Gigolo and drifter Chance Wayne returns to his hometown as the companion of a faded movie star, Alexandra Del Lago, whom he hopes to use to help him break into the movies. Chance runs into trouble when he finds his ex-girlfriend, the daughter of the local politician Tom "Boss" Finley, who more or less forced him to leave his daughter and the town many years ago.

More Like This

Mrs. Parker and the Vicious CircleMrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle · 1994
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
5.91994
MovieDrama
Dorothy Parker remembers the heyday of the Algonquin Round Table, a circle of friends whose barbed wit, like hers, was fueled by alcohol and flirted with despair.
The Scarlet PimpernelThe Scarlet Pimpernel · 1934
The Scarlet Pimpernel
7.01934
MovieDramaAdventure
18th century English aristocrat Sir Percy Blakeney leads a double life. He appears to be merely the effete aristocrat, but in reality is part of an underground effort to free French nobles from Robespierre's Reign of Terror.
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson StoryGifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story · 2009
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
7.82009
MovieDrama
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story is a movie based on the life story of world-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson from 1961 to 1987.
A Star Is BornA Star Is Born · 1937
A Star Is Born
7.21937
MovieDramaRomance
Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of her idol Norman Maine, is sent for a screen test, and before long attains stardom as newly minted Vicki Lester. She and Norman marry, though his career soon dwindles to nothing due to his chronic alcoholism.
Killers of the Flower MoonKillers of the Flower Moon · 2023
Killers of the Flower Moon
7.42023
MovieCrimeHistory
When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one—until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.
Shrew's NestShrew's Nest · 2014
Shrew's Nest
6.92014
MovieHorrorThriller
Spain, 1950s. Montse's agoraphobia keeps her locked in a sinister apartment in Madrid and her only link to reality is the little sister she lost her youth raising. But one day, a reckless young neighbor, Carlos, falls down the stairwell and drags himself to their door. Someone has entered the shrew's nest... perhaps he'll never leave.
A Walk on the MoonA Walk on the Moon · 1999
A Walk on the Moon
6.11999
MovieDramaRomance
The world of a young housewife is turned upside down when she has an affair with a free-spirited blouse salesman.
If These Walls Could Talk 2If These Walls Could Talk 2 · 2000
If These Walls Could Talk 2
6.52000
MovieRomanceDrama
The stories of three lesbian couples -- who live in the same house at different periods of time -- who are at a crossroads in their lives. In 1961, Edith loses her lover, Abby, to a stroke. Linda and Amy struggle with feminist issues in 1972. And, in 2000, Kal and Fran try to have a baby with the help of sperm donor.
Prick Up Your EarsPrick Up Your Ears · 1987
Prick Up Your Ears
6.71987
MovieDrama
When the young, attractive Joe Orton meets the older, more introverted Kenneth Halliwell at drama school, he befriends the kindred spirit and they start an affair. As Orton becomes more comfortable with his sexuality and starts to find success with his writing, Halliwell becomes increasingly alienated and jealous, ultimately tapping into a dangerous rage.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?They Shoot Horses, Don't They? · 1969
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
7.61969
MovieDrama
In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.
Airport 1975Airport 1975 · 1974
Airport 1975
5.81974
MovieDramaThriller
When an in-flight collision incapacitates the pilots of an airplane bound for Los Angeles, stewardess Nancy Pryor is forced to take over the controls. From the ground, her boyfriend Alan Murdock, a retired test pilot, tries to talk her through piloting and landing the 747 aircraft. Worse yet, the anxious passengers — among which are a noisy nun and a cranky man — are aggravating the already tense atmosphere.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter