Kings Row (1942)

Mid 1950's TV series.Running Time: 127 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569522428 Manufacturer No: 65224 Product Description

A Dark Masterpiece

"King's Row" is one of the darkest masterpieces ever to come out of the Hollywood studio system. Released on February 2, 1942, this scathing attack on turn of the century small town American life probably would not have been made in patriotic, post-Pearl Harbor USA. As it was, filming was nearly completed when the Japanese attacked. Though Warner Brothers executives were fearful the movie might be too depressing for patrons so soon after their country had gone to war, "King's Row" found it's audience--and has continued to thrill them to this day. Indeed, this dark tale of a young doctor (Robert Cummings) returning to the town of his childhood--finding it hiding more secrets than he ever could have imagined--is a precursor of film noir, and predates David Lynch's similiarly terrifying view of Americana. There is no part of this film that is less than perfect; from the sublimely evocative cinematography of the master, James Wong Howe, to the lushly romantic score of Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The performances, too, are sterling; with Ronald Reagan giving an Oscar worthy performance as Cumming's good-natured--if errant--friend, who suffers a horrific fate at the chillingly brilliant hands of Charles Coburn (surely, the most sinister surgeon ever depicted on screen). Betty Field and Ann Sheridan give the performances of their careers, and Sam Wood's forceful direction remains the pinnacle of his respected career. Future President Reagan so regarded this role, that he titled his 1965 autobiography, "Where's the Rest of Me?", after his famous line in this film. When he utters it onscreen, it's delivery will haunt you for years to come.
"King's Row" was nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for Best Picture, Director and Cinematography. It won 2 IFCA Awards (Cinematography and Score) and was nominated for 9 others (including Best Film, and a supporting actor nomination for Coburn). Casey Robinson superbly adapted Henry Bellamann's bestselling novel for the screen. February 6, 2008

Great DVD

This is a great DVD that most of the older generation would appreciate more than the younger generation. December 4, 2007

a masterpiece and a classic---

this movie is so heavy and intense--and ultimately joyful !!! it knocks me out every time i watch it-- sheer brilliance---- every aspect--cast crew soundtrack-- howe's cinematography !!sam woods' briiliant direction and the soundtrack !! korngold at his best -- and thats saying something ! masterful at every turn !! and what turns-- this plot will knock u out !! and the amazing prescient book its based on-- it's about the early days of psychiatry-among other things--and the underbelly of the human psyche like you`ve never seen it before !! set in new england 100 yeaRS AGO !! a small twisted town ( its people ! )THAT lies under a veneer of normalcy -- besides having a future president say the great line what happened to the rest of me---get this movie immediately if you have never seen it-- pop it in yer dvd player sit back and take some ride !!!! hollywood/ warner brothers at its quirky best !!!!! if u've ever heard anyone say they dont make em like they used to-- check this out and see what it means !! ann sheridan reagan cummings coburn reins ouspenskia---they all rise to the occasion--its a real tour de force not to be missed ! !!! October 6, 2007

Physicians and Integrity

Anyone who has ever dismissed Ronald Reagan as a "B-movie" actor has only to see him in "King's Row" to realize that he was perfectly capable of being an "A-movie" actor. In Reagan's case, I do not think that it was a question of mediocre talent but rather of having the right material and the kind of director who could command a superb performance. Sam Wood was one such director, and the 1942 film, based upon Henry Bellaman's novel of the same name, afforded the dramatic setting in which Reagan could shine.

Set in a small Missouri town in the early 1900's, "King's Row" explores many issues which have come to haunt modern times, specifically the power and authority of the medical profession over people's lives. It emphasizes that being a physician is a vocation in which the highest integrity is absolutely indispensable. Without a moral compass, the medical profession is doomed to barbarity.

In spite of the idyllic appearance of the town, it is haunted by a sadistic doctor who sees himself ordained to punish sinners, as long as the sinners in question are too poor and obscure to defend themselves. Ronald Reagan portrays "Drake," the charming, lackadaisical rascal of the town, whom the sadist Dr. Gordon (Charles Coburn) chooses to castigate in a particularly grotesque manner. Reagan's interpretation of Drake's response to the horror which befalls him is one of the most powerful moments in classic cinema.

Drake is the boyhood friend of the protagonist "Parris," played by Robert Cummings, and the brotherly bond between them is a beautiful portrayal of true friendship. Meanwhile, the neurotic women in their lives bring with them situations fraught with dark secrets, except for Parris' grandmother (Maria Ouspenskaya) and Drake's girlfriend (Ann Sheridan) who bring hope and balance. The Ann Sheridan character "Randy Monaghan" is supposed to be Catholic, and the scene in which she murmurs "O Blessed Mother of God!" is profoundly moving.

Ultimately, Parris, who becomes a doctor himself, is faced with a moral dilemma in which he must choose to use his medical credentials to save or to destroy. His new friend, a lovely Viennese girl, leads him to the light, and the darkness which threatens to overwhelm the characters is overcome. August 25, 2007

Before "Peyton Place" there was "Kings Row"...powerful, small-town melodrama...

Kings Row is perhaps the granddaddy of all small-town epics--a strong story line, an excellent cast and all of it punctuated by one of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's most melodious background scores.

Considering this was done in the early '40s, the subject matter is handled honestly but with the kind of discretion it would never receive by any of today's filmmakers. Instead, you are asked to connect the dotted lines on the subject of incest, insanity, sadism and moral corruption behind closed doors and come up with your own observations.

Two outstanding leads are Ann Sheridan (never more heartbreakingly honest and moving as the girl from the wrong side of the tracks) and Ronald Reagan as the carefree man she loves and sticks by when fate deals him a hard blow. Robert Cummings is too weak in the central role of Parris--he was always much more suited to comedy than strong drama. But the rest of the large supporting cast are extremely effective--Nancy Coleman (on the brink of insanity after her doctor father's horrific act), Judith Anderson, Charles Coburn (as the sadistic doctor), Claude Rains and Betty Field.

Wonderful black and white photography by James Wong Howe, excellent script by Casey Robinson, meticulous production design by William Cameron Menzies and, of course, that pulsating Korngold score--all create one of the most powerful films of the '40s. Ann Sheridan was never better--and Ronald Reagan is fully up to the requirements of a difficult role as the handsome, carefree young man who falls into the clutches of a doctor with a twisted soul.

Korngold's score can't be praised too highly. It adds an emotional depth to the poignant and powerful scenes and is a remarkable piece of work.


July 29, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...