It Grows on Trees (1952)

What happens when an American family gets two trees that grow spendable money.

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Leonard Praskins (original screenplay), Barney Slater (original screenplay)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Dean Jagger, Joan Evans

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Dunne	...	Polly Baxter
Dean Jagger	...	Phil Baxter
Joan Evans	...	Diane Baxter
Richard Crenna	...	Ralph Bowen
Edith Meiser	...	Mrs. Pryor
Les Tremayne	...	Secretary of the Treasury Finlay Murchison
Forrest Lewis	...	Dr. Burrows, Department of Botanical Research
Malcolm Lee Beggs	...	Carrollman, Secretary of Agriculture
Frank Ferguson	...	Letherby, Department of Internal Revenue
Bob Sweeney	...	Reporter McGuire
Dee Pollock	...	Flip Baxter
Sandy Descher	...	Midge Baxter

Storyline

The Baxters are a typical happy American family trying to live on too little money. Mrs. Polly Baxter acquires two mysterious trees that got into a nursery shipment by mistake. Guess what: they turn out to be money trees! After initial problems, Polly decides to spend the money. But there's one logical consequence of money grown on trees that no one's considered.

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Plot Keywords:

money | tree | wealth | united states | suburbia | 

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Taglines:

The wonderful story of a wish come true!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Árvore da Fortuna

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both William H. O'Brien and William J. O'Brien appear in this film (uncredited) as reporters.

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Goofs

Montage of newspaper front pages includes photo of Polly posing with blooming money tree in backyard. But by time anyone (including press) became aware of her secret, the trees were already bare so no one would have had any reason to photograph her picking money off trees.

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Quotes

Polly Baxter: Well, for your information, in case you're interested, I have more brains in my head than most people have in their little fingers!

User Reviews

Sorry To See Irene Dunne Exit Like This

Irene Dunne finished her illustrious career with this so-so movie. She should have gone out with a bang, being the classy actress she was, not in this unmemorable, almost unknown film.

This lightweight comedy is okay, but nothing special. The first half of it is far better as it gets pretty stupid in the second half. Maybe Irene could see the handwriting on the wall and quit. Even her high-pitched voice got a bit annoying in here. Rumor has it she was not happy with this film. One can see why.

The story reminded me of a 1950s television sitcom. Speaking of that, I thought David Nelson from the Ozzie & Harriet TV show was in this movie but it turned out to be a very young Richard Crenna. He looked and sounded just like Nelson.

Overall, so-so at best and a sub-par ending for a great actress.