IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
A middle-aged man tries to reconnect with his illegitimate son, who was given to an orphanage many years ago.A middle-aged man tries to reconnect with his illegitimate son, who was given to an orphanage many years ago.A middle-aged man tries to reconnect with his illegitimate son, who was given to an orphanage many years ago.
Byron Amidon
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Margaret Bert
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
Nesdon Booth
- Pool Room Proprietor
- (uncredited)
Lovyss Bradley
- Department Store Customer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst film roles of Michael Landon and Tom Laughlin.
- GoofsWhen Cagney rings doorbell on his first visit to Stanwyck's house, the bell rings before he actually presses the button.
- Quotes
Ann Dempster: There's always a kind of hope in everything.
Featured review
Stanwyck, Cagney at half-throttle in thoughtful not-quite-weeper
Not quite a weeper, These Wilder Years is one of those small-scale, thoughtful dramas that rarely if ever are made nowadays. It's about a steel tycoon (James Cagney) who, in mid-life crisis, tries to find the son he abandoned, along with the mother, twenty years earlier. Used to getting his own way by means of money and mouthpieces, he runs into the head of a home for what once were called "wayward girls" (Barbara Stanwyck). She refuses to bend to his charm, his money, or, finally, his legal talent (Walter Pidgeon).
The story -- possibly more resonant today than when it was released -- takes some unexpected (not to say far-fetched) turns; it's sentimental, all right, but stays on the dry side of mawkish. Its main problem is one of audience expectations. Starring two of the most powerful actors in the history of movies -- Stanwyck and Cagney -- it keeps them at half-throttle throughout. Of course they acquit themselves admirably: they're both seasoned troupers with a wide range. But the confrontational fireworks we hope for and expect never quite come. Nonetheless, These Wilder Years remains a solid and fairly credible film.
The story -- possibly more resonant today than when it was released -- takes some unexpected (not to say far-fetched) turns; it's sentimental, all right, but stays on the dry side of mawkish. Its main problem is one of audience expectations. Starring two of the most powerful actors in the history of movies -- Stanwyck and Cagney -- it keeps them at half-throttle throughout. Of course they acquit themselves admirably: they're both seasoned troupers with a wide range. But the confrontational fireworks we hope for and expect never quite come. Nonetheless, These Wilder Years remains a solid and fairly credible film.
helpful•342
- bmacv
- May 1, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- All Our Tomorrows
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,257,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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