Throughout one's life there are many decisions which are chosen without benefit of hindsight or experience. However, such experience is not bestowed on the young. Indeed, it only arrives and accumulates in one's heart, after years of living among and with all the bad mistakes made earlier. That is the premises of this early Black and White Movie called " These Wilder Years. " A wealth, successful well to do millionaire, named Steve Bradford, (James Cagney), arrives in a small town seeking the son he carelessly abandoned and given to an orphanage, twenty years prior. Expecting his wealth and social status to instantly open records, he is surprised and stymied by Ann Dempster (Barbara Stanwyck), the director of the orphanage. She informs Bradford, there are policies, rules and laws which will prevent him from securing what he seeks. Thus begins a war of wills, between the stubborn, directive prone caretaker and the determined man who will not stop until he get's what he wants. The story is important because of early adoption policies in America, but made more poignant in today's privacy driven directives and sealed juvenile records. In the movie itself, Cagney is seen as a bit ham & Egg, style to Stanwyck's Librarian attitude. Still, they are convincing, albeit, over-the-top with the supporting cast which includes, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Andrews and Basil Ruysdael as the Judge. Dean Jones and Michael Landon make brief appearances as well. A good movie and easily recommended. ****
Review of These Wilder Years
