Although the story is supposed to be about the hardships and drudgery of living and working on a farm in rural Maine in the early 20th century this is only a sub plot to the real story which revolves around two sisters whose purpose and goals in life could not be any more different.
Jen Shaw (Jean Muir) is the older somewhat spinster hard working sister, and Doris Shaw (Dorothy Appleby) is the selfish lying sister who wants nothing more than to leave the family farm and way of life, and move to the big city. During one scene Jen is consoling her younger sister Doris after another hardship reveals Doris will not be able to attend secretarial school in the city but will have to stay on the farm for another season. Doris cannot accept the bad news, nor Jen's warm hand on her back as she attempts to console Doris, so Doris responds to her sister Jen's kindness and love by telling Jen she is "dull and stupid like a cow".
The two sisters also have completely different views on what they want in a man they will eventually marry. Jen the older sister may seem homely and dour, but she will not stoop to enticing a man into marriage. No, Jen wants to make sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that the man she may eventually marry wants nothing more in life than to work the (farm) land in rural Maine as she does. Doris on the other hand will use her sexuality, flirting, conniving and even stoop to lies to selfishly get what she wants, regardless of what people in their farming community may think of Doris.
In the end, will both and/or either sister get what they really want from their potential suitors? I won't spoil the ending, but the farming hardships and relationships in a rural community are exposed in As the Earth Turns.
I give this black and white 1934 film a 6 out of 10 rating.
Jen Shaw (Jean Muir) is the older somewhat spinster hard working sister, and Doris Shaw (Dorothy Appleby) is the selfish lying sister who wants nothing more than to leave the family farm and way of life, and move to the big city. During one scene Jen is consoling her younger sister Doris after another hardship reveals Doris will not be able to attend secretarial school in the city but will have to stay on the farm for another season. Doris cannot accept the bad news, nor Jen's warm hand on her back as she attempts to console Doris, so Doris responds to her sister Jen's kindness and love by telling Jen she is "dull and stupid like a cow".
The two sisters also have completely different views on what they want in a man they will eventually marry. Jen the older sister may seem homely and dour, but she will not stoop to enticing a man into marriage. No, Jen wants to make sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that the man she may eventually marry wants nothing more in life than to work the (farm) land in rural Maine as she does. Doris on the other hand will use her sexuality, flirting, conniving and even stoop to lies to selfishly get what she wants, regardless of what people in their farming community may think of Doris.
In the end, will both and/or either sister get what they really want from their potential suitors? I won't spoil the ending, but the farming hardships and relationships in a rural community are exposed in As the Earth Turns.
I give this black and white 1934 film a 6 out of 10 rating.