Any parent who ever became disappointed with his children and any child who felt parental pressure will surely enjoy this drama. Lionel Barrymore is terrific as the father of four children, nicely played as adults by Eric Linden, William Gargan, George Meeker and Gloria Stuart, who cause him great embarrassment and grief and want little or nothing to do with the very successful department store he founded in Chicago after the great fire of 1871. The rest of the supporting cast all do well with Gregory Ratoff a standout as Barrymore's faithful manager, who feels he is not appreciated. Director John Cromwell gets the right feel of the period and handles the crowd scenes (with 300 extras used in the frenzied sale scenes) very well. This was an enjoyable movie.
Interesting tidbits: Barrymore had the flu and a fever of 103°F through some of the production but kept filming despite the doctor's order to rest. Special makeup applied by uncredited Mel Berns and Ern Westmore made the 55-year-old Barrymore look 25 at the start of the film. William Gargan was also in the 1939 remake "Three Sons," but played the part that Alan Dinehart played in this film.
Interesting tidbits: Barrymore had the flu and a fever of 103°F through some of the production but kept filming despite the doctor's order to rest. Special makeup applied by uncredited Mel Berns and Ern Westmore made the 55-year-old Barrymore look 25 at the start of the film. William Gargan was also in the 1939 remake "Three Sons," but played the part that Alan Dinehart played in this film.