James Dunn has a built-in audience. I guess he did when this movie came out. I mean, though, an audience of people who loved him in his most famous role, which came a decade later.
His portrayal of the father in "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" is unforgettable. Off the top of my head, when I think of well deserved supporting Oscars I think of him, of Martin Landau for "Ed Wood," and of the magnificent Mary Astor for "The Great Lie." As an aside, I wonder what has happened to "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." It used to turn up on local TV and in revival theaters and then on cable. But I haven't seen in it years. Nor do I know of a DVD release, though maybe I've missed it.
Here he is a young man given the chance to become sports writer for a major newspaper. (The movie seems to take place in New York City.) He is married to Claire Dodd, a fine actress here playing a truly awful person. His colleague Patricia Ellis is interested, too, but he has eyes only for his acquisitive and cruel wife.
Gangsters are involved. No more of the plot. It's well directed by Robert Florey and acted to perfection. And we're right there, rooting for James Dunn,through thick and thin.
His portrayal of the father in "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" is unforgettable. Off the top of my head, when I think of well deserved supporting Oscars I think of him, of Martin Landau for "Ed Wood," and of the magnificent Mary Astor for "The Great Lie." As an aside, I wonder what has happened to "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." It used to turn up on local TV and in revival theaters and then on cable. But I haven't seen in it years. Nor do I know of a DVD release, though maybe I've missed it.
Here he is a young man given the chance to become sports writer for a major newspaper. (The movie seems to take place in New York City.) He is married to Claire Dodd, a fine actress here playing a truly awful person. His colleague Patricia Ellis is interested, too, but he has eyes only for his acquisitive and cruel wife.
Gangsters are involved. No more of the plot. It's well directed by Robert Florey and acted to perfection. And we're right there, rooting for James Dunn,through thick and thin.