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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (28-Feb-1945)

Director: Elia Kazan

Writers: Tess Slesinger; Frank Davis

From novel: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Music: Alfred Newman

Producer: Louis D. Lighton

Keywords: Drama, New York, Coming of Age, Brooklyn

A bright young girl comes of age in Brooklyn as her family struggles to make ends meet. Francie's father wants her to pursue her dreams; her mother wants her to drop out of school and help the family. Peggy Ann Garner received seventh billing but carries the film, receiving a Juvenile Oscar for her work; James Dunn received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and the film was additionally nominated for Best Screenplay.

NameOccupationBirthDeathKnown for
Joan Blondell
Actor
30-Aug-1906 25-Dec-1979 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
James Dunn
Actor
2-Nov-1901 1-Sep-1967 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Peggy Ann Garner
Actor
3-Feb-1932 16-Oct-1984 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
James Gleason
Actor
23-May-1882 12-Apr-1959 Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Dorothy McGuire
Actor
14-Jun-1916 13-Sep-2001 A Summer Place
Ruth Nelson
Actor
2-Aug-1905 12-Sep-1992 Awakenings
Lloyd Nolan
Actor
11-Aug-1902 27-Sep-1985 Dr. Chegley on Julia

CAST

with
Dorothy McGuire   ...   Katie Nolan
Joan Blondell   ...   Aunt Sissy
James Dunn   ...   Johnny Nolan
Lloyd Nolan   ...   Officer McShane
James Gleason   ...   McGarrity
Ted Donaldson   ...   Neeley Nolan
Peggy Ann Garner   ...   Francie
Ruth Nelson   ...   Miss McDonough
John Alexander   ...   Steve Edwards
B. S. Pulley   ...   Christmas Tree Vendor

REVIEWS

Review by anonymous (posted on 11-Feb-2007)

The movie was wonderful. It's about a poor family in Brooklyn, that is poor because the father is an alcoholic, and can't hold a job. He is always guiltridden because he loves his sweet wife and sensitive young daughter, who escapes from her wretched existance with books and fantasy, (and he just can't give them a better life). The daughter's birthday arrives and he has no money for a gift. On the evening of her birthday he takes her by the hand and they walk a long way, and at one point he tells her to close her eyes. He then leads her further on and stops, and tells her to open her eyes. For the first time in her life she sees a TREE. She is overwhelmed by the first real tree that she has ever seen, and says, "MY CUP RUNNITH OVER". If you see the movie you will never forget it. The daughter was played by Peggy Ann Garner, who received a special OSCAR for her performance. In the late forty's I went to University High School (West Los Angeles) with Peggy Ann, She was one of the sweetest, nicest, most thoughtful people I've ever known. She originated the role of Cherie in the stage play "Bus Stop". I saw her and her new husband Albert Salmi in the play at the El Capitan Theater, in Hollywood. She made it a smash hit. It was expected that Peggy Ann would play Cherie in the movie, but they decided to give the role to a newcomer, Marilyn Monroe.


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