All My Sons (1948)

All My Sons tells the story of Joe Keller, a successful, middle-aged, self-made man who has done a terrible and tragic thing. He framed his business partner for a crime and engineered his ... See full summary »

Director:

Irving Reis

Writers:

Arthur Miller (based on the play by), Chester Erskine (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Burt Lancaster, Mady Christians

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Joe Keller
Burt Lancaster	...	Chris Keller
Mady Christians	...	Kate Keller
Louisa Horton	...	Ann Deever
Howard Duff	...	George Deever
Frank Conroy	...	Herbert Deever
Lloyd Gough	...	Jim Bayliss
Arlene Francis	...	Sue Bayliss
Harry Morgan	...	Frank Lubey (as Henry Morgan)
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Lydia Lubey

Storyline

All My Sons tells the story of Joe Keller, a successful, middle-aged, self-made man who has done a terrible and tragic thing. He framed his business partner for a crime and engineered his own exoneration. Now, his son is about to marry the partner's daughter, the affair is revisited, and his lie of a life is unraveled.

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Plot Keywords:

partner | self made man | trial | duplicity | letter | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Sombra do Passado

Filming Locations:

Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 2, 1949 with Edward G. Robinson reprising his film role.

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Goofs

When Joe comes out of the house upon Annie's arrival, he comes down the front steps and walks into the yard with his arms raised. In the next instant, he's back at the steps and his arms are down.

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Connections

Version of Alla mina söner (1965)

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Soundtracks

"You'll Never Know"
(1943) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played on piano by Louisa Horton

User Reviews

Much better than I expected

Since this movie had no particular reputation, I expected a somewhat ho-hum adaptation of Arthur Miller's play. In fact, the movie somewhat improves on the play. It's not afraid to be a little more "superficial" than the play, opting less for profundity than for solid melodrama, and I do mean solid. Robinson is superb, but the real surprise for me was the unshowy, very subtle (for him) performance by Lancaster, never a favorite of mine in his latter-day, hammy period. Here he seems content to be an ensemble player, supporting Robinson and playing a relatively quiet, Gary Cooper sort of role, and therefore he comes off more of a genuine star than usual. When he does finally explode in physical violence, the effect is truly shocking.