 When the film was released in 1956, it was enormously controversial  for its extremely risqué subject matter. The Legion of Decency  condemned the film for its "carnal suggestiveness". Francis Cardinal  Spellman condemned the film in a stunning attack from the pulpit of  St. Patricks Cathedral two days before the film opened, saying that  the film had been "responsibly judged to be evil in concept" and was  certain that it would "exert an immoral and corrupting influence on  those who see it", and exhorted all Catholics to refrain from  patronizing the film "under pain of sin". Cardinal Spellmans  condemnation of the film led to the Legion of Decencys first