An American Romance (1944)

Stefan Dangos immigrates to America and works his way up from the iron mines and steel mills to become a great American success story as an industrialist.

Director:

King Vidor

Writers:

King Vidor (story), Herbert Dalmas (screenplay),

Stars:

Brian Donlevy, Ann Richards, Walter Abel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Brian Donlevy	...	Stefan Dubechek aka Steve Dangos
Ann Richards	...	Anna O'Rourke Dangos
Walter Abel	...	Howard Clinton
John Qualen	...	Anton Dubechek
Stephen McNally	...	Teddy Roosevelt Dangos / Narrator (as Horace McNally)
Mary McLeod	...	Katina 'Tina' Dangos
Bob Lowell	...	George Washington Dangos

Storyline

Stefan Dangos immigrates to America and works his way up from the iron mines and steel mills to become a great American success story as an industrialist.

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Plot Keywords:

iron mine | steel mill | steel | america | teacher | 

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Taglines:

OUT OF THE HOPE AND COURAGE OF A MAN ...THE LOVE AND DEVOTION OF A WOMAN! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 1945 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

America

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 1,727,340 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

151 min 121 min (Turner library print) 151 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During World War II, there were no passenger car assembly lines in operation. As a result, Vidor had to borrow cars from Chrysler, take them apart, and reassemble them in a simulated assembly line.

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Soundtracks

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean"
(1843) (uncredited)
Written by David T. Shaw
Arranged by Thomas A. Beckett
In the score when George goes off to war

User Reviews

American success story.

I saw this movie as a nine year old child and never forgot it. Later it appeared on television and more recently on TCM. I was impressed by the hero's fortitude in walking to Minnesota to join his cousin at the Mesabe Iron Range, his hard work, and his learning to read and eventually marrying the teacher. Each of his male children was named for a president after a friend remarked their child might reach that office. The movie taught me how iron ore was shipped east and processed into steel. Dangos also moves east and becomes a foreman. He eventually becomes an automobile manufacturer and his new ideas bring him success. His children succeed by achieving through the benefits of education. The movie ends after a documentary of American industry's contribution to the war effort. The Technicolor was gorgeous and Donlevy's performance believable. I still enjoy watching this film and believe King Vidor put his heart into it.