Kings Row (1942)

The dark side and hypocrisy of provincial American life is seen through the eyes of five children as they grow to adulthood at the turn-of-the-century.

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Casey Robinson (screen play), Henry Bellamann (from the novel by)

Stars:

Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Sheridan	...	Randy Monaghan
Robert Cummings	...	Parris Mitchell
Ronald Reagan	...	Drake McHugh
Betty Field	...	Cassandra Tower
Charles Coburn	...	Dr. Henry Gordon
Claude Rains	...	Dr. Alexander Tower
Judith Anderson	...	Mrs. Harriet Gordon
Nancy Coleman	...	Louise Gordon
Kaaren Verne	...	Elise Sandor
Maria Ouspenskaya	...	Madame von Eln
Harry Davenport	...	Colonel Skeffington
Ernest Cossart	...	Pa Monaghan
Ilka Grüning	...	Anna (as Ilka Gruning)
Pat Moriarity	...	Tod Monaghan
Minor Watson	...	Sam Winters

Storyline

Five children in an apparently ideal American small town find their lives changing as the years pass near the turn of the century in 1900. Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) and Drake McHugh (Ronald Reagan), both of whom have lost their parents, are best friends; Parris dreams of becoming a doctor, studying under the father of his sweetheart Cassandra Tower (Betty Field), while Drake plans on becoming a local businessman when he receives his full inheritance - juggling girlfriends in the meantime. As they become adults, the revelations of local secrets threaten to ruin their hopes and dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

safe deposit box | friend | children | daughter | doctor | 

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Taglines:

Have YOU been to KINGS ROW

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Garfield, Dennis Morgan, Eddie Albert, Robert Preston, and Franchot Tone were considered for the role of Drake McHugh.

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Goofs

When Randy sends Parris a letter in Europe, the return address reads "Kings Row, USA" with no street address or state mentioned.

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Quotes

Dr. Alexander Q. Tower: In the 13th Century, man was happier and more comfortable in his world than he is now. I'm speaking of psychic man and his relationship with his whole universe.
Parris Mitchell: I get it, sir. Everything was so simple then
Dr. Alexander Q. Tower: That was it, Parris. That was it. But in this modern complicated world, man breaks down under the strain, the bewilderment, disappointment, and disillusionment. He gets lost, goes crazy, commits suicide. I don't know what's going to happen to this world in the next hundred years or so, but I ...

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Alternate Versions

Also shown in computer colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in The '80s: The Decade That Made Us: Tear Down These Walls (2013)

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Soundtracks

In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree
(1905) (uncredited)
Music by Egbert Van Alstyne
Played outside of Fritz Bachman's

User Reviews

Engaging Drama

Sometimes melodramatic but otherwise engaging adaptation of popular novel tracks the lives of a group of friends in a small town from childhood to adulthood, as they cope with life's challenges. There are good performances from Cummings as an earnest fellow who wants to become a doctor, Field as a mysterious young woman he loves, Rains as her domineering father, Reagan, in his finest role, as Cummings' best friend, and the radiant Sheridan as the former tomboy from the wrong side of the tracks who loves Reagan. Well directed by Wood, helped by the top-notch cinematography (Howe) and score (Korngold). It beautifully captures the feel of a small town around the turn of the 20th century.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

18 April 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kings Row

Filming Locations:

Santa Fe La Grande Railroad Station Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,093,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1