Our Town (1940)

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Thornton Wilder (play)
Thornton Wilder (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 May 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

I don't want to get married.....I'M AFRAID!

Plot:

Change comes slowly to a small New Hampshire town in the early 20th century. People grow up, get married...

Plot Keywords:

Uncle | Teenage Girl | Cat | New Hampshire | Birthday

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars.

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William Holden	...	George Gibbs
Martha Scott	...	Emily Webb
Fay Bainter	...	Mrs. Gibbs
Beulah Bondi	...	Mrs. Webb
Thomas Mitchell	...	Dr. Gibbs
Guy Kibbee	...	Mr. Webb
Stuart Erwin	...	Howie Newsome
Frank Craven	...	Stage Manager / Mr. Morgan
Doro Merande	...	Mrs. Soames
Philip Wood	...	Simon Stimson
Ruth Tobey	...	Rebecca Gibbs (as Ruth Toby)
Douglas Gardner	...	Wally Webb
Arthur B. Allen	...	Professor Willard (as Arthur Allen)
Charles Trowbridge	...	Dr. Ferguson
Spencer Charters	...	Constable Warren

Runtime:

90 min | 89 min (Hypercube restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #6071) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Fort Bragg, California, USA

Company:

Sol Lesser Productions

Trivia:

The poster advertising for this film made it sound as if it were a tense psychological melodrama about somewhat scandalous characters, which it most certainly wasn't.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Studio lights are reflected on the mourners' rain-soaked umbrellas.

Quotes:

Mrs. Julia Hersey Gibbs: It seems to me, once in your life, before you die, you ought to see a country where they don't speak any English and they don't even want to.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Party Camp (1987)

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)

A film I dont want to watch..but I cant stop watching...

Why is this a film I dont wanna watch...because it moves me to uncontrollable tears everytime...It hits home...Thornton Wilder must have known my family ,understood my psyche..It hits home... Americana at the turn of the century.. my parents born... not in samll town america but Mid size city... still the thought the virtues the principals, the ideals were the same the happiness of a a home in America.. Mom & Dad providing a home, warm morning breakfasts on a cold winter day.. family members irrelevant yet unforgettable... the birthdays the graduations & the weddings the changes & the phases of life... and death are simply adequately & beautifully presented by Thornton Wilder & his play & screen play.. Emily portrayed by Marhta Scott is superb... if this doesnt bring a tear to your eye, you are not human... & George played by William Holden perfectly & the best supporting cast ever assembled.. Fay Bainter, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchel, Guy Kibee,Dora Merande etc etc...non stop emotions.. non stop truth.. and the score ,all so memorable... i shouldnt watch this film..becsause its non stop tears everytime... but to me its an American Classic,,, maybe underrated...watch it absorb every line & cry your eyes out..