Kings Row is the movie that gave birth to all the small town with secrets films. It was groundbreaking and controversial upon its release in 1942, and remains a dark and underrated masterpiece.
@@christyschuld975 That's so interesting. I'm curious to know is Bellamann's book something still talked about in the town? Has it been overshadowed by the film version?
One of my favorite films of all time. Yes, Bosley rained on my parade once again but I guess his review is fair and balanced considering he had apparently read the novel. That said, this film contains some of the best performances of Hollywood's cream of the crop character actors of the era and the musical score by Korngold is one of his finest.
@@peterhall5070 Funny thing about Bosley Crowther was that while he would denigrate many films and actors, he most of the time gave Reagan good reviews, which is interesting. I have read through many of his columns and I would say 80% of the time, he was favorable on him.
Saw this as a boy by accident on The Late Show, and dozens of times since. One of the finest films ever made. Any critics of Ronald Reagans should watch this film. His best. Ronald Reagan added the ‘Where’s the rest of me?’ line on his own without objection. I can’t over emphasize the contribution that the music in many scenes added to the drama, etc. Ann Sheridan remains one of my favorite all time actresses. (Back before they all insisted on being referred to as ‘actors’ regardless of gender) My father got to see her on a tour of the Chinese base he was stationed at during WWII.
Thanks for making a video about this fantastic movie. In Brazil, its title is " Em Cada Coração, Um Pecado" ( In Each Heart, a Sin). I've always loved it. Well done!
I think the answer to this subgenre (small town with big secrets) finally came with "The Last Picture Show" (1971). It has the same situation, a little nowhere town with a lot of ugly truths in it. The difference is that they are pretty much open secrets. That's the truth of small-town life: everybody knows everybody's business, the 'scandals' are all common knowledge, and people carry on without being horribly shocked. It's all just part of life.
Hey Miss LaLa!!! Thanks so much for checking this one out! If you get around to watching Kings Row please come back and leave your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to know what you think!
Lol. You hit the back catalog! Thanks for watching. This is one of my favorite videos and my computer crashed in the middle of making it so this one was really a labor of love😂😂😂
@@CinemaCities1978 those are the ones you really mean! 😅 Had it happen to me like that, and i feel ya, it can be crushing at the time. But you did an amazing job here. Respect 🙏🎬 Really enjoyed it. The back catalogue is a treasure trove. This channel takes me to corners of cinema that no one else does, I always learn a lot and I appreciate the time and research that goes into the work here. I can tell how much you love it and how movies mean so much to you. I'm sure many other people do and will all the more in the future. Leaving stuff for those not yet born, like Walt Whitman said. 👍
Just saw this movie for the first time last night and loved it. Found your video on it to be fantastic. I will be checking out your other videos. Great job.
It's such a great film! It isn't all the well known but once you see it, it stays with you. I'm so glad that you enjoyed my video and thanks for taking the time to check out my channel.
Very, very, late to the party . . . but, many years ago I stumbled across an old copy of "King's Row" at a book fair of some kind. I bought it because I had heard it was a movie featuring Ronald Reagan, who was front of mind (either governor of CA, or perhaps he was already President) at that time. I was pretty shocked that a book published in 1940 explored such dark themes. I have never seen the movie, but after seeing your very well written, edited and narrated review, I am going to watch it. Good luck with your channel.
Thank you so much for watching! That's exactly how I stumbled onto my copy of the novel. I was familiar with the film, but the book was long out of print. When I finally read it, I was shocked by how dark it was and how well the film (under the constraints of the production code) managed to maintain the main themes and a lot of the character's arcs.
I'm sad to admit that "Where's the rest of me?!" is all I remember of this film, probably seen late at night on tv in my dissolute youth. I think DanielOrme's comment on 'The Last Picture Show' has a lot of truth in it (I have lived in smallish towns and everyone knows everything) and maybe 'King's Row' is more about the evils of class and snobbery than small towns.
In 1956, a literary phenomenon happened, a book was published that became a runaway best-seller its name was "Peyton Place." But Peyton Place was not the first erotically infused novel defined as a "sex novel," here's a few best-sellering titles that were considered to be potboilders: Anthony Adverse, Whistle Stop, and Kings Row all three were published before World War II. In the years that followed there was Forever Amber, The Amboy Dukes and Mandingo. Uneven in skillfulness and literary acclaim, they were united by their willingness to explore the intimate details of everyday life in small towns. Fifteen years piror to Peyton Place being published a similar novel was introduced that was highly controversial it was titled Kings Row, which had been identified as a precursor to Peyton Place. Henry Bellamann was the author of Kings Row a 1940 novel about a fictitious Midwestern town of Fulton, Missouri circa 1900. The town of Fulton was filled with insanity, suicide, fornication, euthanasia, miscegenation, incest, and even homosexuality. No, that story could not be transferred to the silver screen as is, not in 1942! Surprisingly, screenwriter Casey Robinson was able to preserve, in some fashion, all but the last three. The movie, superior to Peyton Place, would join the list of outstanding Warner Brothers films in 1942 that were huge hits: Yankee Doodle Dandy, Now, Voyager, Across the Pacific and Gentleman Jim, though an admitted production drop, in quantity and quality, from the year before. Working under the restrictions of the Production Code it was no surprise that Jamie Wakefield, a boyhood friend who made advances towards Parris, is nowhere to be found. And if homosexuality was forbidden territory then certainly Dr. Towers' incestuous relationship with his daughter Cassandra wasn't something the head of the Production code Joseph Breen was going to allow also. Nor a mercy killing, that was out too. Nymphomania? That was a no-no. None of this should surprise anybody familiar with the novel what was surprising was how far Kings Row and Warner Brothers managed to go. Director Sam Wood tries to cover up the town of Kings Row but if you look carefully the light peeks through on some of the more forbidden elements of the book. Still, the incest was not a surprise. The Cassandra character is very strange and Betty Field's performance, which is a bit much, does make it feel as though she's holding something back. The relationship between Cassandra and her father, Dr. Tower, is unsettling. It's obvious something is wrong. By 1942, Sam Wood had culled a lifetime of directorial experiences to benefit Kings Row: arguably his finest achievement. The film is an exquisite tapestry of interwoven lives imbued with a thread of kindheartedness for Bellaman’s motley brood. Indeed, in perusing Bellaman’s novel again, one is immediately struck by the lack of empathy for these characters; Wood bringing ‘compassion’ to the forefront, and a richly rewarding redemption in personal faith. The film would be nothing at all, but darkly tragic and depressingly gritty without this ever so slight veneer, wholly a concoction of Hollywood’s then fervent belief in achieving clarity via the proverbial ‘happy ending’. On celluloid, Kings Row remains darkly attractive, brooding and, at times, harrowing and bleak, and yet, the emancipating quality achieved by Wood for the film - particularly, in its ending - does not betray Bellaman’s carefully crafted ‘best-selling’ prose, in much the same way Selznick’s tampering with the finale to Gone With The Wind (1939, MGM) only serves to elevate and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. It all works like magic - practically, and with the seamless result of some very articulate behind-the-scenes planning, superbly executed in front of the camera to take full advantage of a studio system at its zenith - all pistons firing in unison. The film begins, with a majestic and sweeping score by Erich von Korngold and as the credits appear, Ann Sheridan receives top billing in the opening credits. However, it's well over a half-hour before she appears. It's well worth the wait. Maybe Sheridan didn't have the character acting range of fellow Warner Brothers stars like Bette Davis or Olivia de Havilland, but she is so right for her character Randy Monaghan. Apparently, she went after the part with a passion and the passion shows in her performance. Sheridan understands the roots of this smart, working class woman. In most modern movies about male bonding, the wife or girlfriend is an interruption. She comes in between the friendship but in Kings Row, Randy complements the friendship between Parris and Drake. She supports it. She adds to it. She's grateful for it. This is a good trinity. "Red" can handle Drake's lustiness. She knows that just about everything stirs him up. But Randy's love is deep and true. She sees the good in Drake, good that he may not even realize about himself. She sees it. Parris sees it. When it comes to love, she's in for the long run. She doesn't just love him because he's a handsome looking man. Also, Randy honors his love and friendship for Parris. Sheridan is so vibrant in this role that Sheridan proved to the studio that she was more than the "Oomph Girl," Meanwhile, both James Wong Howe’s atmospheric cinematography and William Cameron Menzies’ strategically designed sets contribute to the creation of a world which feels both familiar and spooky at the same time. The musical fanfare theme that Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote for the film was a direct inspiration for John Williams to write the main theme for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). This was a request by George Lucas, along with the 20th Century Fox, to have a score that would remind the movie-going public of the Errol Flynn 1930's and 1940's tales of swashbucklers.
Another winning examination of a superb film by a talented and entertaining narrator. The editing of the clips is an astoundingly cohesive montage of the film's key moments. This is brilliant and I appreciate the effort and the result. Well done!
One of the Best Films of the 40's and that is saying something in "The Golden Age of Hollywood". Nominated for "Best Picture", it was also Ronald Reagan's greatest triumph as an Actor. Also, Ann Sheridan was a great leading lady for Reagan, as they appeared in multiple films together.
This is a great movie. Being a small town Mid Missouri girl, it had me intrigued. I agree that I thought it was Ronald Reagan's best movie. Hearing you say in the clip you did about Tyrone Power being considered for Parris, would have brought a lot with him, a shame we didn't get to see it. Nonetheless, I love the movie, and only discovered your channel today, and with my love for the Golden Era movies and history, I've watched 5 clips already. Thanks for a pleasant few hours. 🥰
I remember seeing this a while back and I liked it. I have to rewatch it again as I don’t think I saw it from beginning to end very dark. You are exactly right!
This was shown on a TV show, complete with host who supplied trivia about the film, its making, and its stars. In fact, the host also stated this was RR's best role. Apparently, RR used what he considered the most important line in the film as the book's title: Where's The Rest Of Me?
Kings Row is one of my favorites. I've read the book also. Having worked later in the mental health field, both took on a new appreciation Coming from Missouri myself only added to it.
This movie effected me like It's A Wonderful Life did. It took me to the depths and then shot me to the heights. The Robert Cummings character emotionally freed up the Ronald Reagan character. Someone in my social networking neck of the woods had someone else with a terminal illness and was asking for inspirational viewing suggestions. I mentioned this flick. Based largely on the final scene alone, I mentioned this movie. Have I second thoughts? Kinda yes.
Yes, I watched it on tv one late night when I couldn’t sleep back in the mid 90’s. Was surprised at how it depicted the dark side of a small town in a film of the 40s. It ain’t no Meet Me in St. Louis!! I thought it was a well made film. Drew me In quickly.
I was expecting a dark melo, but i found it kind of optimistic. dr. Parris figuring out how to snap the buggyman Reagan back to reality in the end. Anne sheriden is so wise and strong even though shes from poor side of track.
Always thought this was one of the great Hollywood movies - Cummings going down the street when we only see the distorted brickwork in the lightning flashes!
This is a great review. The book itself is almost impossible to find as I would like to read it. Small Town America has always been a source of merriment for those who seek to show it as a source of backward values gone bad. The earliest is Wineburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson that is ony known to people who like american literature. Considering it's from 1919 it's understandible that most folks haven't ever heard of it. Then there is Main Street by Sinclair Lewis who wanted to show how mundane small town life was. Over the years it's usually the butt of man jokes about yokels and kicks, evangelicals, and intolerant bigots.
I have seen this one MANY times. John Williams must have borrowed some of his Star Wars score from this and The Adventures Of Robin Hood! It's almost spooky! Reagan was never better. I haven't read the book but I suspected that Cassie was being abused at home. I ... don't mind Robert Cummings much I guess but he and Betty Field make a better couple in Flesh & Fantasy, which I think came out the next year? Love their segment in that.
Just watch this movie, it was awesome. I did felt was too short and some of the characters were not given the time of their motives but was a remarkable film.
The production design by William Cameron Menzies does so much for the movie. Another person the average folks don't know but who was a big influence on films. Reagan may have been only adequate, but his response to his surgery couldn't be played better, IMHO.
I totally agree about Regan. Menzies did such a great job that Kings Row is still a working backlot street set. His work (along with Lyle Wheeler) is also amazing on Rebecca where he masterfully combines matte paintings, miniatures and studio sets to create Du Maurier's Manderley.
@@CinemaCities1978 Have you seen THINGS TO COME? Menzies created the first vision of the future on film that was inspired by pulp science fiction ideas of what our Perfect Spotless Future would look like. Also, considering the comparison between KINGS ROW and OUR TOWN, it's informative to watch OUR TOWN since Menzies designed that, also.
Yes! I do like Peyton Place but at times the films moves too far into soap opera territory and doesn't hit the critique of small town life as hard as the book it's based on. Kings Row, on the other hand, despite the code restrictions, leans into the gothic and implies so much darkness without explicitly stating it.
I really love your videos, they are well researched and intelligent. Kings Row is a favourite film of mine. Bette Davis wanted the role of Cassandra but Jack Warner thought it was much too small a role and wouldn’t allow it. Warner apparently offered the role to Ida Lupino and how I wish she hadn’t turned it down. Bette Field’s over the top performance is the only one I really didn’t like and Lupino had so much to offer. Ronald Reagan was given the second male lead but it’s clear he knew that it was a very meaty role and he turned in a terrible performance.
Actually, RR appeared in a lead or supporting role in several "good" movies. "Kings Row" happened to be a great one but he also did "Dark Victory" with Bette Davis that was also nominated for "Best Picture", "The Hasty Heart" "Knute Rockne All-American" "The Voice of the Turtle", Santa Fe Trail, Desperate Journey and several others. I say good because they did very well at the box office and/or were nominated for Oscars in various categories. He also had the male lead in "This is the Army", which at the time, was the biggest grossing Hollywood musical ever with Oscar winning music by Irving Berlin.
I loved this Movie & a bit surprised to find out that the Doctor was doing his daughter Drakes Girlfriend. I understand that Drake & friend were Bi-sexual and doing each other according to the book. I think I will get this book on tape.
Kings Row is the movie that gave birth to all the small town with secrets films. It was groundbreaking and controversial upon its release in 1942, and remains a dark and underrated masterpiece.
I live in Fulton Missouri.......Reagan's suit from this movie....hangs in our Historical Society in town.
@@christyschuld975 That's so interesting. I'm curious to know is Bellamann's book something still talked about in the town? Has it been overshadowed by the film version?
I had no idea David Lynch has been making films since the '40s. I've got to see this film.
One of my favorite films of all time. Yes, Bosley rained on my parade once again but I guess his review is fair and balanced considering he had apparently read the novel. That said, this film contains some of the best performances of Hollywood's cream of the crop character actors of the era and the musical score by Korngold is one of his finest.
@@peterhall5070 Funny thing about Bosley Crowther was that while he would denigrate many films and actors, he most of the time gave Reagan good reviews, which is interesting. I have read through many of his columns and I would say 80% of the time, he was favorable on him.
Saw this as a boy by accident on The Late Show, and dozens of times since. One of the finest films ever made. Any critics of Ronald Reagans should watch this film. His best. Ronald Reagan added the ‘Where’s the rest of me?’ line on his own without objection. I can’t over emphasize the contribution that the music in many scenes added to the drama, etc. Ann Sheridan remains one of my favorite all time actresses. (Back before they all insisted on being referred to as ‘actors’ regardless of gender) My father got to see her on a tour of the Chinese base he was stationed at during WWII.
"They" didn't insist. The wackos did. They are actresses. Actresses. Actresses.
Thanks for making a video about this fantastic movie. In Brazil, its title is " Em Cada Coração, Um Pecado" ( In Each Heart, a Sin). I've always loved it. Well done!
I think the answer to this subgenre (small town with big secrets) finally came with "The Last Picture Show" (1971). It has the same situation, a little nowhere town with a lot of ugly truths in it. The difference is that they are pretty much open secrets. That's the truth of small-town life: everybody knows everybody's business, the 'scandals' are all common knowledge, and people carry on without being horribly shocked. It's all just part of life.
Good point and a great movie.
Another i need to rewatch - it's come up several times recently
Your videos are always such a tonic. Brilliant editing and great narration. Ive uncovered yet another film to add to my must watch list. Thank you!
Hey Miss LaLa!!! Thanks so much for checking this one out! If you get around to watching Kings Row please come back and leave your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to know what you think!
Awesome video! I would love to see this, CC. "Where's the rest of me!?" Wild. Excellent breakdown and detailing as always. Loved this! Thank you.
Lol. You hit the back catalog! Thanks for watching. This is one of my favorite videos and my computer crashed in the middle of making it so this one was really a labor of love😂😂😂
@@CinemaCities1978 those are the ones you really mean! 😅 Had it happen to me like that, and i feel ya, it can be crushing at the time. But you did an amazing job here. Respect 🙏🎬 Really enjoyed it. The back catalogue is a treasure trove. This channel takes me to corners of cinema that no one else does, I always learn a lot and I appreciate the time and research that goes into the work here. I can tell how much you love it and how movies mean so much to you. I'm sure many other people do and will all the more in the future. Leaving stuff for those not yet born, like Walt Whitman said. 👍
@@MoreMovies4u
That's one of the nicest and most appreciative things anyone has ever said to me. For real. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks!
Thank you! I love this movie and I'm glad this video is finally finding an audience of people who feel the same!
Just saw this movie for the first time last night and loved it. Found your video on it to be fantastic. I will be checking out your other videos. Great job.
It's such a great film! It isn't all the well known but once you see it, it stays with you. I'm so glad that you enjoyed my video and thanks for taking the time to check out my channel.
Kings Row is a favorite. I re-watch it every so often.
Me too. It was one of the first movies I ever bought on DVD.
I saw the movie at a Warner Bros. retrospective nearly fifty years ago and read the book thirty years ago. Excellent review!
Very, very, late to the party . . . but, many years ago I stumbled across an old copy of "King's Row" at a book fair of some kind. I bought it because I had heard it was a movie featuring Ronald Reagan, who was front of mind (either governor of CA, or perhaps he was already President) at that time. I was pretty shocked that a book published in 1940 explored such dark themes. I have never seen the movie, but after seeing your very well written, edited and narrated review, I am going to watch it. Good luck with your channel.
Thank you so much for watching! That's exactly how I stumbled onto my copy of the novel. I was familiar with the film, but the book was long out of print. When I finally read it, I was shocked by how dark it was and how well the film (under the constraints of the production code) managed to maintain the main themes and a lot of the character's arcs.
One of my favorite films. So ahead of its time. Completely underrated & overlooked. And an Oscar nomination should have gone to Ann Sheridan.
I hate how overlooked this film is. It's pretty much only beloved by classic movie fans and it deserves a wider audience.
I'm surprised it got past the Hays Code.
I'm sad to admit that "Where's the rest of me?!" is all I remember of this film, probably seen late at night on tv in my dissolute youth. I think DanielOrme's comment on 'The Last Picture Show' has a lot of truth in it (I have lived in smallish towns and everyone knows everything) and maybe 'King's Row' is more about the evils of class and snobbery than small towns.
You make it so enticing. I wish it was available on youtube..Thanks for the heads up!
In 1956, a literary phenomenon happened, a book was published that became a runaway best-seller its name was "Peyton Place." But Peyton Place was not the first erotically infused novel defined as a "sex novel," here's a few best-sellering titles that were considered to be potboilders: Anthony Adverse, Whistle Stop, and Kings Row all three were published before World War II. In the years that followed there was Forever Amber, The Amboy Dukes and Mandingo. Uneven in skillfulness and literary acclaim, they were united by their willingness to explore the intimate details of everyday life in small towns.
Fifteen years piror to Peyton Place being published a similar novel was introduced that was highly controversial it was titled Kings Row, which had been identified as a precursor to Peyton Place. Henry Bellamann was the author of Kings Row a 1940 novel about a fictitious Midwestern town of Fulton, Missouri circa 1900. The town of Fulton was filled with insanity, suicide, fornication, euthanasia, miscegenation, incest, and even homosexuality. No, that story could not be transferred to the silver screen as is, not in 1942! Surprisingly, screenwriter Casey Robinson was able to preserve, in some fashion, all but the last three. The movie, superior to Peyton Place, would join the list of outstanding Warner Brothers films in 1942 that were huge hits: Yankee Doodle Dandy, Now, Voyager, Across the Pacific and Gentleman Jim, though an admitted production drop, in quantity and quality, from the year before. Working under the restrictions of the Production Code it was no surprise that Jamie Wakefield, a boyhood friend who made advances towards Parris, is nowhere to be found. And if homosexuality was forbidden territory then certainly Dr. Towers' incestuous relationship with his daughter Cassandra wasn't something the head of the Production code Joseph Breen was going to allow also. Nor a mercy killing, that was out too. Nymphomania? That was a no-no. None of this should surprise anybody familiar with the novel what was surprising was how far Kings Row and Warner Brothers managed to go.
Director Sam Wood tries to cover up the town of Kings Row but if you look carefully the light peeks through on some of the more forbidden elements of the book. Still, the incest was not a surprise. The Cassandra character is very strange and Betty Field's performance, which is a bit much, does make it feel as though she's holding something back. The relationship between Cassandra and her father, Dr. Tower, is unsettling. It's obvious something is wrong. By 1942, Sam Wood had culled a lifetime of directorial experiences to benefit Kings Row: arguably his finest achievement. The film is an exquisite tapestry of interwoven lives imbued with a thread of kindheartedness for Bellaman’s motley brood. Indeed, in perusing Bellaman’s novel again, one is immediately struck by the lack of empathy for these characters; Wood bringing ‘compassion’ to the forefront, and a richly rewarding redemption in personal faith. The film would be nothing at all, but darkly tragic and depressingly gritty without this ever so slight veneer, wholly a concoction of Hollywood’s then fervent belief in achieving clarity via the proverbial ‘happy ending’. On celluloid, Kings Row remains darkly attractive, brooding and, at times, harrowing and bleak, and yet, the emancipating quality achieved by Wood for the film - particularly, in its ending - does not betray Bellaman’s carefully crafted ‘best-selling’ prose, in much the same way Selznick’s tampering with the finale to Gone With The Wind (1939, MGM) only serves to elevate and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. It all works like magic - practically, and with the seamless result of some very articulate behind-the-scenes planning, superbly executed in front of the camera to take full advantage of a studio system at its zenith - all pistons firing in unison. The film begins, with a majestic and sweeping score by Erich von Korngold and as the credits appear, Ann Sheridan receives top billing in the opening credits. However, it's well over a half-hour before she appears. It's well worth the wait. Maybe Sheridan didn't have the character acting range of fellow Warner Brothers stars like Bette Davis or Olivia de Havilland, but she is so right for her character Randy Monaghan. Apparently, she went after the part with a passion and the passion shows in her performance. Sheridan understands the roots of this smart, working class woman. In most modern movies about male bonding, the wife or girlfriend is an interruption. She comes in between the friendship but in Kings Row, Randy complements the friendship between Parris and Drake. She supports it. She adds to it. She's grateful for it. This is a good trinity. "Red" can handle Drake's lustiness. She knows that just about everything stirs him up. But Randy's love is deep and true. She sees the good in Drake, good that he may not even realize about himself. She sees it. Parris sees it. When it comes to love, she's in for the long run. She doesn't just love him because he's a handsome looking man. Also, Randy honors his love and friendship for Parris. Sheridan is so vibrant in this role that Sheridan proved to the studio that she was more than the "Oomph Girl,"
Meanwhile, both James Wong Howe’s atmospheric cinematography and William Cameron Menzies’ strategically designed sets contribute to the creation of a world which feels both familiar and spooky at the same time. The musical fanfare theme that Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote for the film was a direct inspiration for John Williams to write the main theme for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). This was a request by George Lucas, along with the 20th Century Fox, to have a score that would remind the movie-going public of the Errol Flynn 1930's and 1940's tales of swashbucklers.
Another winning examination of a superb film by a talented and entertaining narrator. The editing of the clips is an astoundingly cohesive montage of the film's key moments. This is brilliant and I appreciate the effort and the result. Well done!
Thank you very much!
Wonderful review. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I watched the movie about 20 years ago. It had such a profound effect on me. I cant help but think that nothing has changed. 😢
It is a film that stays with you long after it’s over.
One of the Best Films of the 40's and that is saying something in "The Golden Age of Hollywood". Nominated for "Best Picture", it was also Ronald Reagan's greatest triumph as an Actor. Also, Ann Sheridan was a great leading lady for Reagan, as they appeared in multiple films together.
Brilliant story and film. Loved it since a teen. Nice job.
This is a great movie. Being a small town Mid Missouri girl, it had me intrigued. I agree that I thought it was Ronald Reagan's best movie. Hearing you say in the clip you did about Tyrone Power being considered for Parris, would have brought a lot with him, a shame we didn't get to see it. Nonetheless, I love the movie, and only discovered your channel today, and with my love for the Golden Era movies and history, I've watched 5 clips already. Thanks for a pleasant few hours. 🥰
Good review!
I remember seeing this a while back and I liked it. I have to rewatch it again as I don’t think I saw it from beginning to end very dark. You are exactly right!
Some thing about everything connected. Well done.
This is my favorite video of all the one's I've done so far and I am really glad you liked it. Thank you so much for watching.
My mom said she was watching kings row on ty when her labor pains started with me ( late 1950s) I love that movie
me too!
This was shown on a TV show, complete with host who supplied trivia about the film, its making, and its stars. In fact, the host also stated this was RR's best role. Apparently, RR used what he considered the most important line in the film as the book's title: Where's The Rest Of Me?
Loved this film and all the authentic looking sets. I liked the character Cassie, haunting and different.
I agree, Cassie is a very haunting character. Her memory hangs over the entire film.
Are there any behind the scenes photographs for Kings Row? I'd love to see how the sets really looked and where were the locations shot, pond etc?
You omitted Betty Field who gives a brilliant portrayal of Cassandra Tower. A very dark and very great film that interestingly has not aged a day.
Kings Row is one of my favorites. I've read the book also. Having worked later in the mental health field, both took on a new appreciation Coming from Missouri myself only added to it.
This movie effected me like It's A Wonderful Life did. It took me to the depths and then shot me to the heights. The Robert Cummings character emotionally freed up the Ronald Reagan character.
Someone in my social networking neck of the woods had someone else with a terminal illness and was asking for inspirational viewing suggestions. I mentioned this flick. Based largely on the final scene alone, I mentioned this movie.
Have I second thoughts? Kinda yes.
Definitely remember it from tv 40 years ago 🤔😎😎😎
Yes, I watched it on tv one late night when I couldn’t sleep back in the mid 90’s. Was surprised at how it depicted the dark side of a small town in a film of the 40s. It ain’t no Meet Me in St. Louis!!
I thought it was a well made film. Drew me In quickly.
This video really piqued my interest in this film, thank you for sharing
That's great! If you ever get around to watching it, come back and let me know what you think.
I was expecting a dark melo, but i found it kind of optimistic. dr. Parris figuring out how to snap the buggyman Reagan back to reality in the end. Anne sheriden is so wise and strong even though shes from poor side of track.
Yes, I’ve seen Kings Row. Thank you reminding me 🍿🥤
So this was the precursor of Peyton Place? I need to see this ASAP!
Yes, ASAP 😀 If you do get around to watching it, please come back here and let me know what you think.
Always thought this was one of the great Hollywood movies - Cummings going down the street when we only see the distorted brickwork in the lightning flashes!
Has a remake been made of this?
No. I would love to see a King's Row mini series.
Not heard of this one, but it's on the list now. Also, I want to track down the book.
The book is very good. I think they did the best they could and a really good job adapting the material to please the censors.
This is a great review. The book itself is almost impossible to find as I would like to read it. Small Town America has always been a source of merriment for those who seek to show it as a source of backward values gone bad. The earliest is Wineburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson that is ony known to people who like american literature. Considering it's from 1919 it's understandible that most folks haven't ever heard of it. Then there is Main Street by Sinclair Lewis who wanted to show how mundane small town life was. Over the years it's usually the butt of man jokes about yokels and kicks, evangelicals, and intolerant bigots.
Let's namecheck Ann Sheridan, that great Texas gal, so good in Nora Prentiss (1947).
I have seen this one MANY times. John Williams must have borrowed some of his Star Wars score from this and The Adventures Of Robin Hood! It's almost spooky! Reagan was never better. I haven't read the book but I suspected that Cassie was being abused at home. I ... don't mind Robert Cummings much I guess but he and Betty Field make a better couple in Flesh & Fantasy, which I think came out the next year? Love their segment in that.
Just watch this movie, it was awesome. I did felt was too short and some of the characters were not given the time of their motives but was a remarkable film.
Kings Row is one of my all time favorite films. It’s not perfect but it’s very daring filmmaking for it’s time.
Couldn\t finish, you freaked me out
I felt bad for the little girl regarding her birthday party.
The production design by William Cameron Menzies does so much for the movie. Another person the average folks don't know but who was a big influence on films. Reagan may have been only adequate, but his response to his surgery couldn't be played better, IMHO.
I totally agree about Regan. Menzies did such a great job that Kings Row is still a working backlot street set. His work (along with Lyle Wheeler) is also amazing on Rebecca where he masterfully combines matte paintings, miniatures and studio sets to create Du Maurier's Manderley.
@@CinemaCities1978 Have you seen THINGS TO COME? Menzies created the first vision of the future on film that was inspired by pulp science fiction ideas of what our Perfect Spotless Future would look like. Also, considering the comparison between KINGS ROW and OUR TOWN, it's informative to watch OUR TOWN since Menzies designed that, also.
Kings Row is everything Peyton Place tried to be: emotional, surprising, and cut-to-the-bone true!!
Yes! I do like Peyton Place but at times the films moves too far into soap opera territory and doesn't hit the critique of small town life as hard as the book it's based on. Kings Row, on the other hand, despite the code restrictions, leans into the gothic and implies so much darkness without explicitly stating it.
Where's the rest of me
I really love your videos, they are well researched and intelligent. Kings Row is a favourite film of mine. Bette Davis wanted the role of Cassandra but Jack Warner thought it was much too small a role and wouldn’t allow it. Warner apparently offered the role to Ida Lupino and how I wish she hadn’t turned it down. Bette Field’s over the top performance is the only one I really didn’t like and Lupino had so much to offer. Ronald Reagan was given the second male lead but it’s clear he knew that it was a very meaty role and he turned in a terrible performance.
This is the only Good Movie R Reagon played in.
Actually, RR appeared in a lead or supporting role in several "good" movies. "Kings Row" happened to be a great one but he also did "Dark Victory" with Bette Davis that was also nominated for "Best Picture", "The Hasty Heart" "Knute Rockne All-American" "The Voice of the Turtle", Santa Fe Trail, Desperate Journey and several others. I say good because they did very well at the box office and/or were nominated for Oscars in various categories. He also had the male lead in "This is the Army", which at the time, was the biggest grossing Hollywood musical ever with Oscar winning music by Irving Berlin.
I loved this Movie & a bit surprised to find out that the Doctor was doing his daughter Drakes Girlfriend. I understand that Drake & friend were Bi-sexual and doing each other according to the book. I think I will get this book on tape.