Warren Berlinger as 'Ernie'

Warren Berlinger is one of our most underrated, underappreciated character actors. His performance in "Blue Denim" was first rate. He reprised the role of Ernie from the stage production.

In 1959, "Blue Denim" was a very controversial film, dealing with topics such as teenage pregnancy and abortion. Most probably find the pro-life message antiquated. But the following dialogue between Ernie and Arthur regarding their sending Arthur's girlfriend Janet off to get a backwoods abortion gives one pause, especially with such powerful performances by Berlinger and the wonderful Brandon De Wilde as Arthur:

Arthur: "It doesn't even have a name. It isn't anything yet."
Ernie: "It's alive, isn't it??"

These kids today, with their hula hoops and fax machines.