Val Xavier, a drifter of obscure origins, arrives at a small town and gets a job in a store run by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is dying of cancer. Val is pursued by Carol Cutere, the enigmatic local tramp-of-good-family.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Marlon BrandoValentine 'Snakeskin' Xavier | Valentine 'Snakeskin' Xavier |
 Anna MagnaniLady Torrance | Lady Torrance |
 Joanne WoodwardCarol Cutrere | Carol Cutrere |
 Victor JoryJabe Torrance | Jabe Torrance |
 Maureen StapletonVee Talbot | Vee Talbot |
 R.G. ArmstrongSheriff Jordan Talbott | Sheriff Jordan Talbott |
 Emory RichardsonUncle Pleasant, the Conjure Man | Uncle Pleasant, the Conjure Man |
 Madame SpivyRuby Lightfoot | Ruby Lightfoot |
 Sally GracieDolly Hamma | Dolly Hamma |
 Lucille BensonBeulah Binnings | Beulah Binnings |
 John BaragreyDavid Cutrere | David Cutrere |
| VVirgilia ChewNurse Porter | Nurse Porter |
| BBen Yaffee'Dog' Hamma | 'Dog' Hamma |
 Joe Brown Jr.'Pee Wee' Binnings | 'Pee Wee' Binnings |
| MMary PerryNot listed | Not listed |
| NNeil HarrisonNot listed | Not listed |
| JJanice MarsGas Station Attendant's Wife | Gas Station Attendant's Wife |