Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)

A Norwegian farmer lovingly raises his daughter in rural World War II-era Benson Junction, Wisconsin.

Director:

Roy Rowland

Writers:

Dalton Trumbo (screen play), George Victor Martin (book)

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Margaret O'Brien, James Craig

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Martinius Jacobson
Margaret O'Brien	...	Selma Jacobson
James Craig	...	Nels Halverson
Frances Gifford	...	Viola Johnson
Agnes Moorehead	...	Bruna Jacobson
Morris Carnovsky	...	Bjorn Bjornson
Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins	...	Arnold Hanson
Sara Haden	...	Mrs. Bjornson
Greta Granstedt	...	Mrs. Faraassen
Dorothy Morris	...	Ingeborg Jensen
Arthur Space	...	Pete Hanson
Elizabeth Russell	...	Kola Hanson
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Mr. Faraassen
Charles Middleton	...	Kurt Jensen
Francis Pierlot	...	Minister

Storyline

Life in small town Wisconsin. Selma and Arnold, aged 7 and 5, pal around together between their two farms. Selma has a newborn calf that her father gave to her which she named 'Elizabeth'. Nels is the editor of the Fuller Junction Spectator and the kids just call him 'editor'. Viola is the new school teacher from the big city. While Nels wants to marry Viola, Viola does not want to live in a small quiet, nothing happening town. The biggest news is that Faraassen has built a new barn.

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Plot Keywords:

editor | wisconsin | community | small town | teacher | 

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Taglines:

M-G-M's True-to-Life Drama

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frühling des Lebens

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trailer for this film includes a specially shot scene of 'Margaret O'Brien' visiting with Spencer Tracy. Tracy tells the child star he never wants to make a movie with her because she's too good for him!

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Goofs

A cow does not have two stomachs as Martinius Jacobson says to the children in the barn. A cow actually has four stomachs. The Rumen, The Reticulum, The Omasum, and the Abomasum.

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Quotes

Martinius Jacobson: [Entering Bjornson's new barn] You can still smell the new wood... finest smell on the earth.

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Connections

Featured in A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! (2011)

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Soundtracks

Joy to the World
(1719) (uncredited)
Music attributed to George Frideric Handel
Hymn by Isaac Watts (1719)
Arranged by Lowell Mason
Sung by all in Church

User Reviews

Hard To Imagine A Nicer Film

It's true - this is about as nice as it ever got with a movie. There are no villains, no violence (except when animals had to be destroyed in a fire...and that wasn't pictured), and just a nice story of a nice Norwegian family living in rural Wisconsin.

The story emphasizes two members of the family: the 7-year-old daughter, played by 1940s child star Margaret O'Brien, and her father, played by famous tough-guy actor Edward G. Robinson. This is Robinson as you rarely saw him and refreshingly low-key.

Yes, O'Brien tends overact a bit, but some of her lines are so touching, so moving and delivered with such a soft, sweet voice that she gets away with them. Her gesture at the end of the film - no "spoilers" here - is so astounding I doubt it would ever happen in real life.....but it's wonderful to see.

James Craig, Frances Gifford, Agnes Moorhead and Jackie "Butch" Jeknins all add to this old-fashioned wholesome film. (If those words turn you off, by all means, skip this movie.) Jenkins can be a bit much, but he does add humor to the movie. Craig and Gifford make an attractive couple.

This movie is highly recommended for those of you who want a break from films with "bad guys" and a lot of "edginess."