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Big City

  • 19481948
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
289
YOUR RATING
Big City (1948)
  • Drama
Margaret O’Brien sings, dances and keeps the faith in this heartwarming musical drama costarring Robert Preston, Danny Thomas and George Murphy.Margaret O’Brien sings, dances and keeps the faith in this heartwarming musical drama costarring Robert Preston, Danny Thomas and George Murphy.Margaret O’Brien sings, dances and keeps the faith in this heartwarming musical drama costarring Robert Preston, Danny Thomas and George Murphy.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
289
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Norman Taurog
  • Writers
    • Anne Morrison Chapin
    • Whitfield Cook
    • Aben Kandel(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Margaret O'Brien
    • Robert Preston
    • Danny Thomas
Top credits
  • Director
    • Norman Taurog
  • Writers
    • Anne Morrison Chapin
    • Whitfield Cook
    • Aben Kandel(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Margaret O'Brien
    • Robert Preston
    • Danny Thomas
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 19User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    Big City (1948)
    Karin Booth and George Murphy in Big City (1948)
    Marles Noie in Big City (1948)
    Lotte Lehmann in Big City (1948)
    Margaret O'Brien in Big City (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Margaret O'Brien
    Margaret O'Brien
    • Midgeas Midge
    Robert Preston
    Robert Preston
    • Rev. Philip Y. Andrewsas Rev. Philip Y. Andrews
    Danny Thomas
    Danny Thomas
    • Cantor David Irwin Feldmanas Cantor David Irwin Feldman
    George Murphy
    George Murphy
    • Patrick O'Donnellas Patrick O'Donnell
    Karin Booth
    Karin Booth
    • Florence Bartlettas Florence Bartlett
    Edward Arnold
    Edward Arnold
    • Judge Martin O. Abercrombieas Judge Martin O. Abercrombie
    Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins
    Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins
    • Louis Kelleras Louis Keller
    • (as Butch Jenkins)
    Betty Garrett
    Betty Garrett
    • Shoo Shoo Gradyas Shoo Shoo Grady
    Lotte Lehmann
    Lotte Lehmann
    • Mama Feldmanas Mama Feldman
    Connie Gilchrist
    Connie Gilchrist
    • Marthaas Martha
    Page Cavanaugh
    • Trio Leaderas Trio Leader
    • (as Page Cavanaugh Trio)
    David Bair
    • Boyas Boy
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Barber
    Bobby Barber
    • Fighteras Fighter
    • (uncredited)
    Stanley Blystone
    Stanley Blystone
    • Mike - the Bartenderas Mike - the Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    George Calliga
    George Calliga
    • Rabbias Rabbi
    • (uncredited)
    Heinie Conklin
    Heinie Conklin
    • Drunk Barflyas Drunk Barfly
    • (uncredited)
    George Davis
    George Davis
    • The Floristas The Florist
    • (uncredited)
    Dolores Donlon
    Dolores Donlon
    • Brideas Bride
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Norman Taurog
    • Writers
      • Anne Morrison Chapin
      • Whitfield Cook
      • Aben Kandel(additional dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film debut of Betty Garrett.
    • Connections
      Referenced in The Blue Lamp (1950)
    • Soundtracks
      God Bless America
      Written by Irving Berlin

      Performed by Marles Noie

    User reviews19

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A well done Social Drama applicable to 1948 and to today...
    Synopsis:

    As the film opens, three men, all of whom live in the same neighborhood but have differing religious and social circles, come across an abandoned infant in a basket at the steps to one of the men's apartment building...

    This film, whose alternate title could have been 'Three Men and a Baby', deals with the commonalities of the Jew, the Catholic and the Protestant as they work for the common good of this baby girl. The cast is rounded out by a sweet, if not stereotypical, Jewish 'grandmother', a benevolent judge and a couple of 'love interests'.

    After the initial introduction of the characters, we are left to assume that all goes well for some 10-12 years where the film picks up on the co-mingled lives of the odd family and some of the challenges faced by Midge, the infant now turned lady-beyond-her-years, in the classroom, and by her adoptive fathers in their courtships. It includes many of the aspects of today's 'reality television' shows, including 'alliances', differing moral values, and competition among participants.

    Social Impact:

    The movie deals nicely, if not superficially and somewhat predictably, with the issues of finding common ground to base friendships on, rather than differences upon which to build enmity.

    Recommendation:

    This film is timely for 1948 and for today in a world where religious differences seem to be playing a vital role in public opinion.

    I recommend this film for its cinematography (B&W) and for its ability to remind the viewer that there are things worth working together for, especially the future we build for our children.
    helpful•6
    3
    • thesommers
    • Jan 26, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 1948 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Brothers of the East Side
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,725,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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