Barbara Stanwyck pulls out all the emotional stops and is effective as a widow who strives to work the land and make a success for both her and her son. Trouble is that the boy grows up and desires fast wealth. He gives up his architectural work to go into bond trading and wealth. The problem with the film is the end of it. The flick ends abruptly. You really don't know if he returns to architecture or returns to the land.
Life on the prairie is very rugged. It takes its toll and people just up and die.
In her scenes as a younger woman, Stanwyck acts like a dignified Stella Dallas.
The phenomenal Bette Davis is seen in a supporting role as the son's love interest. She was not her devilish-self to be, rather, she would prefer that he return to a more simple life.
George Brent has a brief role as a sculptor who succeeded in Europe and returns to the prairie for a visit. Trouble is that his girlfriend is Davis when Stanwyck's son has designs on her as well. This is not resolved at the end of the film.
The problems of urban living are depicted with the latter being depicted as a place of vice and crime. Robert Warwick has a brief but memorable role as Stanwyck's gambler father. He tells her about his philosophy of life right before he is killed. I remember Warwick quite well as the magnate named Irving in 1947's "Gentleman's Agreement." He was against the idea of articles about anti-semitism. "Don't stir things up, let us handle it" was his motto.
Life on the prairie is very rugged. It takes its toll and people just up and die.
In her scenes as a younger woman, Stanwyck acts like a dignified Stella Dallas.
The phenomenal Bette Davis is seen in a supporting role as the son's love interest. She was not her devilish-self to be, rather, she would prefer that he return to a more simple life.
George Brent has a brief role as a sculptor who succeeded in Europe and returns to the prairie for a visit. Trouble is that his girlfriend is Davis when Stanwyck's son has designs on her as well. This is not resolved at the end of the film.
The problems of urban living are depicted with the latter being depicted as a place of vice and crime. Robert Warwick has a brief but memorable role as Stanwyck's gambler father. He tells her about his philosophy of life right before he is killed. I remember Warwick quite well as the magnate named Irving in 1947's "Gentleman's Agreement." He was against the idea of articles about anti-semitism. "Don't stir things up, let us handle it" was his motto.