These Wilder Years (1956)

Director:

Roy Rowland

Writers:

Frank Fenton (writer)
Ralph Wheelwright (story)

Release Date:

17 August 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

TOGETHER and TERRIFIC! ...in a story of unforgettable warmth and impact!

Plot:

Middleaged man tries to find a son that was given to an orphanage many years ago.

Plot Keywords:

Childhood | Orphan

Cast

James Cagney	...	Steve Bradford
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Ann Dempster
Walter Pidgeon	...	James Rayburn
Betty Lou Keim	...	Suzie
Don Dubbins	...	Mark
Edward Andrews	...	Mr. Spottsford
Basil Ruysdael	...	Judge
Grandon Rhodes	...	Roy Oliphant
Will Wright	...	Old Cab Driver
Lewis Martin	...	Dr. Miller
Dorothy Adams	...	Aunt Martha
Dean Jones	...	Hardware Clerk
Herb Vigran	...	Traffic Cop

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:S

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

First film role of Michael Landon.

A new role for an old hood -- a softer, gentler Cagney

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cagney in this movie. I must admit, after viewing a lot of his films I've grown accustomed to his famous tough-guy image. But, after seeing "These Wilder Years" I was a little surprised to see a softer, gentler Cagney. It's a pleasant contrast in light of his previous roles. Cagney is a splendid and versatile actor and I've always relished seeing him play comedic and dramatic parts as well as gangster/hoodlum roles. He's simply irresistable to watch on screen and I'm always interested to see how he's going to react. You never know when he's going to "sprinkle the goodies" in a scene. He is always good to his audience. In "These Wilder Years", Cagney plays a successful businessman in search of a son that was put up for adoption twenty years ago. Even though Cagney's character pretty much has everything he wants, there's just something missing and he has to fulfull this part of his life. I don't want to give away what happens in the movie but the interactions between Barbara Stanwyck and Betty Lou Keim are compelling and at times, very touching.

Although, I wouldn't say this is Oscar material and there are plenty of good movies out there, this is one definitely worth seeing -- Cagney fan or not :)