Kings Row (1942)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Casey Robinson (screenplay)
Henry Bellamann (novel)

Release Date:

18 April 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Perfect Players . . . in the 4 Star Best-Seller Story now becomes your Top Screen Triumph! . . . in Kings Row

Plot:

The dark side and hypocrisy of provincial American life is seen through the eyes of five children as they grow to adulthood at the turn-of-the-century.

Plot Keywords:

Turn Of The Century | Small Town | Friend | Secret | Psychiatry

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Ann Sheridan	...	Randy Monaghan
Robert Cummings	...	Parris Mitchell
Ronald Reagan	...	Drake McHugh
Betty Field	...	Cassandra Tower
Charles Coburn	...	Dr. Henry Gordon
Claude Rains	...	Dr. Alexander Tower
Judith Anderson	...	Mrs. Harriet Gordon
Nancy Coleman	...	Louise Gordon
Kaaren Verne	...	Elise Sandor
Maria Ouspenskaya	...	Madame von Eln
Harry Davenport	...	Colonel Skeffington
Ernest Cossart	...	Pa Monaghan
Ilka Grüning	...	Anna (as Ilka Gruning)
Pat Moriarity	...	Tod Monaghan
Minor Watson	...	Sam Winters

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #7337) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Saugus, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The city depicted in the film is based on the actual Mid-Missouri town of Fulton, book writer Henry Bellamann's home.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Parris is speaking to his instructor in Vienna, Dr. Kendell strikes a match to light his pipe. In the next shot, the match has disappeared and there is no evidence that he lit the pipe.

Quotes:

Drake McHugh: What's the harm in a little kiss?
Randy Monaghan: A little kiss? Suppose we find out?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sands of Oblivion (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

My Gal Is a High-Born Lady

A truly classic masterpiece from Hollywood's golden age!

Kings Row in my opinion is one of the greatest motion pictures ever made. Why it wasn't it on the American Film Institutes 100 films of all time is beyond me and another weird thing why wasn't its star the beautiful and talented Ann Sheridan among their greatest stars of all time is another crime. Ronald Reagan gives the performance of his entire career. The rest of the cast is first-rate as well. Robert Cummings is good but is the weakest character for me. Betty Field is very good in her small part. The supporting cast which includes Charles Coburn, Claude Rains, Maria Ouspenkaya and Kaaren Verne are all sensational. The music and the cinematography are incredible. Sam Wood directed a truly Gothic melodrama. The black and white photography is so gloriously rich. I am waiting anxiously for this to come out on DVD. In 1942 this film should have gotten a lot of nominations and won some. Best picture, actor, actress, director, supporting actor, supporting actress and screenplay and also cinematography and musical score. I think it did actually get a best picture nomination come to think of it. If you never saw this film, you must look out for it and Ann Sheridan in her finest hour.