Blossoms in the Dust (1941)

Edna marries Texan Sam Gladney, operator of a wheat mill. Edna discovers by chance how the law treats children who are without parents and decides to do something about it. She opens a home... See full summary »

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Anita Loos (screenplay), Ralph Wheelwright (story),

Stars:

Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Felix Bressart

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greer Garson	...	Edna Gladney
Walter Pidgeon	...	Sam Gladney
Felix Bressart	...	Dr. Max Breslar
Marsha Hunt	...	Charlotte
Fay Holden	...	Mrs. Kahly
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Mr. Kahly
Kathleen Howard	...	Mrs. Keats
George Lessey	...	Mr. Keats
William Henry	...	Allan Keats
Henry O'Neill	...	Judge
John Eldredge	...	Damon
Clinton Rosemond	...	Zeke
Theresa Harris	...	Cleo
Charles Arnt	...	G. Harrington Hedger
Cecil Cunningham	...	Mrs. Gilworth

Storyline

Edna marries Texan Sam Gladney, operator of a wheat mill. Edna discovers by chance how the law treats children who are without parents and decides to do something about it. She opens a home for foundlings and orphans and begins to place children in good homes, despite the opposition of "conservative" citizens, who would condemn illegitimate children for being born out of wedlock. Eventually Edna leads a fight in the Texas legislature to remove the stigma of illegitimacy from birth records in that state, while continuing to be an advocate for homeless children.

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Plot Keywords:

children | orphan | mill | birth | illegitimacy | 

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Taglines:

She rang every doorbell in Texas.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 July 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blomster i skygge

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Loew's

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First of eight movies that paired Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon.

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Quotes

Edna: There are no illegitimate children. There are only illegitimate parents!

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Connections

Referenced in You Can't Fool a Camera (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Home on the Range"
Music by Daniel E. Kelley (1904)
Lyrics by Brewster M. Higley (1873)
Played at the first party
Played as background music often

User Reviews

This Film Could Blossom Even in the Dust

Greer Garson in a poignant memorable role as Edna Gladney in 1941's "Blossom in the Dust."

Edna (Garson) has a friend who killed herself because her illegitimacy was revealed. It will become Edna's fight to fight this wrong on birth certificates. There is no reason why a child has to be maligned when it is stated that they are illegitimate.

Garson stars with Walter Pigeon, who was to be with her in many more films. They have a son who is killed in a tragic accident as a youngster. When Garson is widowed some time after this, she devotes her life to orphaned children. She fights for their rights and their dignity.

Garson is emotionally appealing as Edna.

When she gives up the last child in her care, I guarantee that you will need a box of tissues.

A fine film of the human spirit, touching and equally absorbing. Thank you Edna Gladney for the work you did for youngsters.