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 | Provincial Life

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
Ludwig Stössel	...	Professor Berdorff (as Ludwig Stossel)
Erwin Kalser	...	Mr. Sandor
Egon Brecher	...	Dr. Candell
Ann E. Todd	...	Randy Monaghan, as a girl (as Ann Todd)
Scotty Beckett	...	Parris Mitchell, as a boy
Douglas Croft	...	Drake McHugh, as a boy
Mary Thomas	...	Cassandra Tower, as a girl
Julie Warren	...	Poppy Ross
Mary Scott	...	Jinny Ross
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Leah Baird	...	Aunt Mamie (uncredited)
Walter Baldwin	...	Deputy Constable (uncredited)
Henry Blair	...	Willie (uncredited)
Joan Duvalle	...	Louise Gordon, as a girl (uncredited)
Eden Gray	...	Mrs. Tower (uncredited)
Ludwig Hardt	...	Porter (uncredited)
Herbert Heywood	...	Arnold Kelly (uncredited)
Danny Jackson	...	Benny Singer (uncredited)
Payne B. Johnson	...	Boy in party scene (uncredited)
Fred Kelsey	...	Bill Hockinson (uncredited)
Hank Mann	...	Stable Keeper (uncredited)
Frank Mayo	...	Conductor (uncredited)
Frank Milan	...	Bank Teller (uncredited)
Jack Mower	...	Freight Conductor (uncredited)
Hattie Noel	...	Daisy / Gordon family maid (uncredited)
Emory Parnell	...	Harley Davis (uncredited)
Bertha Powell	...	Esther (uncredited)
Thomas W. Ross	...	Patterson Lawes (uncredited)
Hermine Sterler	...	Secretary (uncredited)
Elizabeth Valentine	...	Nurse (uncredited)

Directed by
Sam Wood

Writing credits
Casey Robinson		(screenplay)
Henry Bellamann		(novel)

Produced by
David Lewis	....	associate producer
Hal B. Wallis	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Cinematography by
James Wong Howe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ralph Dawson

Production Design by
William Cameron Menzies

Art Direction by
Carl Jules Weyl

Costume Design by
Orry-Kelly		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Perc Westmore	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Lonnie D'Orsa	....	production manager (uncredited)

Sound Department
Robert B. Lee	....	sound

Special Effects by
Robert Burks	....	special effects

Music Department
Leo F. Forbstein	....	musical director
Hugo Friedhofer	....	orchestral arranger
Ray Heindorf	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Bernhard Kaun	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Erich Wolfgang Korngold	....	conductor (uncredited)
Milan Roder	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1942) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Pictures (1946) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Dominant Pictures Corporation (1956) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Warner Bros. (1947) (France) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

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:

Col. Skeffington: [Referring to the dying Madame von Eln] When she passes, how much passes with her! - a whole way of life, a way of gentleness and honor and dignity. These things are going, Henry, and they may never come back to this world.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sands of Oblivion (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

A Fine Drama From The Golden Age of Movies

"Kings Row" is truly a gem. The acting, photography,direction, script, and memorable score are outstanding. A number of reviewers have criticized Robert Cummings as not being up to the role of Parris Michell. I have to disagree. His earnestness and sincerity are what I appreciate in his characterization which is central to the storyline. Claude Rains, Harry Davenport, Ronald Reagan, and especially Ann Sheridan are outstanding in supporting roles.

I am not an "old geezer", a phrase used by Ronald Reagan in describing Dr. Gordon, who appreciates films from the 30's and 40's; unless being 59 qualifies me as such. I find myself viewing this movie several times a year on tape and Turner Classic Movies. Korngold's theme is truly one of the five top film themes. This is a sensitive and entertaining movie which stands the test of time.