The Night of the Iguana (film) in a black-and-white film), and Gabriel Figueroa (for Best Black-and-white Cinematography). Ava Gardner was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA as best actress. A statue of John Huston stands in Puerto Vallarta, celebrating the film's role in making the area a popular destination. Notes The Night of the Iguana (film) The Night of the Iguana is a 1964 film based on the 1961 play of the same name written by Tennessee Williams. Directed by John Huston, it featured Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr. The film won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and was
The Night of the Iguana with Charlotte's care during the trip. The Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon was partly based on Williams' cousin and close friend, the Reverend Sidney Lanier, the iconoclastic Rector of St Clement's Episcopal Church, New York. Lanier was a significant figure in the New York theatre scene in the 1950 and 1960s, started a Ministry to the Theatre Arts and would become co-founder of the experimental American Place Theatre in 1962. Lanier resigned from his ministry in May 1965. The play premiered on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on December 28, 1961, and ran for 316 performances. It starred Patrick O'Neal as