Harold Mitchell (A Streetcar Named Desire character)
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Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell is one of the four main characters in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire. He was portrayed by Karl Malden in the Broadway version as well as the 1951 film adaptation; Malden won an Academy Award for his performance.
[edit] In The Play
Mitch is one of Stanley Kowalski's poker buddies and Stella Kowalski's friends. His mother is dying and she wants to see him settled down. Mitch even considers marrying Stella's sister, Blanche DuBois. Later on, however, Stanley tells Mitch about Blanche's secret past, which scares Mitch into ending the relationship.
The night that Stella goes into labour, while she and Stanley are at the hospital, a drunken Mitch comes to confront Blanche. She breaks down and admits everything about her affairs and her prostitution. Aroused by this, Mitch attempts to harass her but is scared off by her screams.
[edit] Cultural references
In The Simpsons episode A Streetcar named Marge, Lionel Hutz (voiced by Phil Hartman) first sued the production on the behalf of those who tried out but did not make the cut, but then plays the part of Mitch.