Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Sins of the Children (1930)

The Sins of the Children (1930) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   63 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Elliott Nugent (story) and
J.C. Nugent (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Sins of the Children on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 June 1930 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
A German immigrant to a small American town is a widower with four children and a barber. He has saved... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Roast Goose, Red Cabbage, Tears and Beers more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Louis Mann ... Adolf Wagenkampf

Robert Montgomery ... Nick Higginson
Elliott Nugent ... Johann 'Johnnie' / 'John' Wagenkampf
Leila Hyams ... Alma Wagenkampf
Clara Blandick ... Martha Wagenkampf
Mary Doran ... Laura, the Manicurist
Ralph Bushman ... Ludwig Wagenkampf, aka Lawrence Warren (as Francis X. Bushman Jr.)
Robert McWade ... Joe Higginson
Dell Henderson ... Ted Baldwin
Henry Armetta ... Tony
Jane Reid ... Katherine 'Kathy' Wagenkampf Taylor
James Donlan ... Bide Taylor
Jeane Wood ... Muriel Stokes (as Jeanne Wood)
Lee Kohlmar ... Dr. Heinrich Schmidt
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Father's Day
The Richest Man in the World
more
Runtime:
87 min (copyright length) | USA:86 min (Turner library print)
Country:
USA
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Fun Stuff

Soundtrack:
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 15 people found the following comment useful:-
Roast Goose, Red Cabbage, Tears and Beers, 21 May 2003
7/10
Author: howdymax from Las Cruces, New Mexico

I decided to comment on this movie, primarily, for one reason - Louis Mann. He plays the hard working patriarch of a loving family whose children constantly disappoint him. He scrapes together enough money from his barber shop to send his older son Ludwig to college, only to have him renounce his immigrant German family and change his name once he becomes a doctor. The son marries a social climber and turns into a spineless worm. The old man mortgages the barber shop to rescue his younger son when he embezzles money from his company to play the horses. When the old man is unable to repay the loan, he asks his son, the doctor, for help. The wife promptly turns him out with a peck on the cheek. His beautiful young daughter sacrifices her virtue to the town bankers weakling son (well played by Robert Montgomery). Well, you get the picture.

But back to Louis Mann. Until I caught this flick on TCM, I never heard of him. Apparently for good reason. I was so impressed with his performance that I did some research. He has virtually no history. I just can't understand it. His performance in this movie was so genuine, poignant, natural, and sympathetic I would have sworn he had an extensive, well rounded career in the business. I don't know anything about his ethnic background, but his German accent was very authentic. I grew up in a 1st generation German home and his delivery reminded me very much of those times. The lapses into German, the emotion, the unintentional humor. He reminded me, at times, of Albert Basserman.

The story has been done many times, the ending is way too pat, and the performances of the actors was mediocre, but this movie is still worth seeing. It will probably be your only chance to see Louis Mann perform, and you need to put everything else aside and watch. I am sorry he never got the recognition I think he deserves and I'm grateful that I got the chance to see him and honor his performance.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Sins of the Children (1930)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Born to Gamble Giant Edvard Munch The Good Earth Sweet Land
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.