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Kings Row [VHS]

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"Kings Row" is the most distinguished film of Ronald Reagan's actor career, for which he drew his best reviews. However, by the time it was released in 1942, Reagan was in the Army and his film career had received a fateful interruption that would eventually lead to his shifting to a political career. I remember that when Breshnev was preparing to meet with President Reagan the Soviet leader screened several of Reagan's films, and "King's Row" was the one that impressed him. If you have already seen this film, directed by Sam Wood, you know why.

The film focuses on five childhood friends who grow up to complicated lives. Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) has become a medical student, studying privately with Dr. Alexander Tower (Claude Rains), whose daughter Cassandra (Betty Field) is a sheltered neurotic. Louise Gordon (Nancy Coleman) has been raised by harsh parents who warn here away from playboy Drake McHugh (Reagan), who is living off an inheritance. Drake ends up falling for Randy Monoghan (Ann Sheridan), the former tomboy who has grown up in to a most practical working class girl. Things then get very dark. First, when Dr. Tower discovers Cassandra is pregnant he kills her and himself. Then, after losing his fortune and taking a job at the railroad yard, Drake is injured and Dr. Gordon (Charles Coburn) decides to amputate the young man's legs as a punishment for his former hedonism. This is what leads to Reagan's unforgettable scene when he wakes up and discovers what has been done to him. The scene could have become ludicrous, but Reagan pulls it off and it is clearly his finest moment as an actor.

"Kings Row" is based on the novel by Henry Bellamann, which is a massive story of sadism and thwarted love in what was clearly the "Payton Place" of its day, set in a quiet Midwestern town at the turn of the (last) century. A lot of the novel's elements, such as incest, homosexuality and euthanasia were never going to make it into the film forcing screenwriter Casey Robinson to salvage what he could (e.g., turning the incest between Dr. Tower and his daughter Cassandra into a question of insanity). Robinson also gave the movie a "happier" ending (originally, Drake McHugh dies of cancer after his legs are unnecessarily amputated). Even more radical was the casting, since few in Hollywood were comfortable with Sheridan, Cummings and Reagan having the three lead roles. However, all of them perform admirably, as does Field and the supporting cast of veteran character actors.

Reagan would go on to entitle his autobiography "Where's the Rest of Me?" after the famous line he screams when he awakens to discover his legs are gone. He often told the story about what it was like to film the scene, his worried preparation for him to find the moment in him as an actor and director Wood waiting for Reagan to give the go ahead. For his parent, Reagan always credited Ann Sheridan, who was not supposed to be in the scene. But when he suddenly started calling for Randy she rushed into the room in character and Reagan delivered a powerful scene.

This is a riveting soap opera with a cast that holds all the pieces together, and keeps the sometimes improbable plot fascinating at all times for the viewer.
It was filmed on a soundstage, with very effective scenic design by William Cameron Menzies...I just love the skies !
Brilliantly conceived and directed by Sam Wood, it's based on Harry Bellamann's best-selling novel. The excellent Erich Wolfgang Korngold score also adds to the drama and atmosphere.

Set in a turn of the century small town, where the dark secrets and vile motives of some contrast with the goodness of others, the best scenes are between Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan.
The chemistry between them is a delight, and their acting so real, one feels one is sharing the moment with them, even though this was filmed over 60 years ago. They shine as Randy and Drake, two strong, independent, and fun loving souls.

With the exception of one or two scenes with rather stilted dialogue between Betty Field and Robert Cummings, the pacing never lags. There are great actors even in the supporting roles, like Dame Judith Anderson and Maria Ouspenskaya. Claude Rains is absolutely marvelous, and steals every scene he's in.

This classic was nominated for several Oscars...B&W Cinematography (James Wong Howe), Director, and Best Picture, but lost to a "Mrs. Minever" sweep.
It's perhaps Ronald Reagan's best performance, so this film is a piece of American history, as well as being highly entertaining.

"King's Row" is the most distinguished film of Ronald Reagan's actor career, for which he drew his best reviews. However, by the time it was released in 1942, Reagan was in the Army and his film career received a fateful interruption that would eventually lead to his shifting to a political career. I remember that when Breshnev was preparing to meet with President Reagan the Soviet leader screened several of Reagan's films, and "King's Row" was the one that impressed him. If you have already seen this film, directed by Sam Wood, you know why.

The film focuses on five childhood friends who grow up to complicated lives. Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) has become a medical student, studying privately with Dr. Alexander Tower (Claude Rains), whose daughter Cassandra (Betty Field) is a sheltered neurotic. Louise Gordon (Nancy Coleman) has been raised by harsh parents who warn here away from playboy Drake McHugh (Reagan), who is living off an inheritance. Drake ends up falling for Randy Monoghan (Ann Sheridan), the former tomboy who has grown up in to a most practical working class girl. Things then get very dark. First, when Dr. Tower discovers Cassandra is pregnant he kills her and himself. Then, after losing his fortune and taking a job at the railroad yard, Drake is injured and Dr. Gordon (Charles Coburn) decides to amputate the young man's legs as a punishment for his former hedonism. This is what leads to Reagan's unforgettable scene when he wakes up and discovers what has been done to him. The scene could have become ludicrous, but Reagan pulls it off and it is clearly his finest moment as an actor.

"King's Row" is based on the novel by Henry Bellamann, which is a massive story of sadism and thwarted love in what was clearly the "Payton Place" of its day, set in a quiet Midwestern town at the turn of the (last) century. A lot of the novel's elements, such as incest, homosexuality and euthanasia were never going to make it into the film forcing screenwriter Casey Robinson to salvage what he could (e.g., turning the incest between Dr. Tower and his daughter Cassandra into a question of insanity). Robinson also gave the movie a "happier" ending (originally, Drake McHugh dies of cancer after his legs are unnecessarily amputated). Even more radical was the casting, since few in Hollywood were comfortable with Sheridan, Cummings and Reagan having the three lead roles. However, all of them perform admirably, as does Field and the supporting cast of veteran character actors. Reagan would go on to entitle his autobiography "Where's the Rest of Me?" after the famous line he screams when he awakens to discover his legs are gone.

"Kings Row" was the "Peyton Place" of the 1940's, and after a few attempts at a script, Warners finally got the censors to approve one. Although it does leave out the controversial elements of the book, it still manages to get the main story across--that of Parris (Robert Cummings), Drake (Ronald Reagan), and Randy (Ann Sheridan), from childhood to adulthood, with lots of twists and turns inbetween.

Sheridan is the one who really shines in this film. Given the chance to prove that she was more than just a second lead or wise-cracking girlfriend, Sheridan shows that she can handle drama, especially in the scenes with Reagan (who also is above his usual workman-like performances) after he has his accident and loses his legs.

Maria Ouspenskaya, best know as the gypsy in "The Wolf Man," shows that she was a very underrated character actress in her brilliant performance as Parris' grandmother, a queenly and noble woman who instills all of the right values in her grandson.

Korngold's score is superb (a precursor of John Williams' score for "Star Wars"), and if you can find a copy of it on CD, I suggest a listen to that as well. It gives the film a real boost, and is one of Korngold's best.

In all, one of the best dramas of the 1940's, and one of Warner Bros. best films ever.

King's Row starts off with a view of a sign that announces that the town of King's Row is a great place to live and have a family. The rest of the movie shows you just how untrue that sign was. The film turns the romantic view of life in a small town upside down, exposing a lot of vices and prejudices. The performances are a mixed bag. Ann Sheridan gives one of her best performances as the girl from the wrong side of the tracks (literally), and Ronald Reagan surprises with an effective job as the victim of a sadistic doctor. But Robert Cummings is sometimes laughable as the very idealistic young doctor and Betty Field is over the top as his troubled girlfriend. The supporting cast is generally fine, with an especially fine performance by Nancy Coleman, who should have become a star but didn't. The movie is both dramatic and entertaining, and if you like stories about small towns like I do, then don't miss this one. It's an eye-opener!

Bob Cummings and Ronald Reagan are both superb as affluent childhood friends in the pre-1900 town of "Kings Row". The gentlemanly Cummings playing Parris Mitchell is lovingly raised by his grandmother and aspires to be a doctor. Reagan playing rabble rouser Drake McHugh is a fun loving fellow with a large anticipated inheritance. Cummings is enamored with Cassie Tower, played by Betty Field, daughter of a brilliant physician played by a terse and professional Claude Rains. Rains has chosen to live a very secluded life with a limited practice due to his wife's mental illness, which is being dealt with secretively. Cummings is mortified when his beloved Cassie is suddenly pulled out of school and in effect imprisoned in her home.

Reagan, meanwhile, fancies Louise Gordon daughter of prominent Kings Row doctor the blackhearted and judgemental Dr. Henry Gordon played by Charles Coburn. Coburn does not approve of the relationship between Reagan and Nancy Coleman who plays his daughter. As a result, Reagan begins carousing with a group of loosely moraled girls. He eventually falls for a virtuous girl and ex-tomboy from the wrong side of the tracks Randy Monaghan played by the beautiful Ann Sheridan. Sheridan, while of meager economic background is morally well grounded, caring and intelligent.

Cummings has been mentored under the wing of Rains, who is preparing him for admission ot medical school in Vienna. Just prior to his embarking to Europe, a terrible tragedy occurs to Rains and his daughter Cassie revealing some terrible secrets.

While in Europe, Cummings is unaware that Reagan has suffered an unfortunate financial disaster. Luckily, with Sheridan at his side, he manages to overcome his misfortune. Things are going well when a heart breaking catastrophic accident occurs leaving Reagan both physically and mentally challenged. Again Sheridan bolsters him and they marry. All the while Sheridan prays for dear friend Cummings' return from abroad.

Cummings who is now an accomplished psychiatrist, a new medical specialty, eventually returns to Kings Row. He can't bear to stay as the town holds too many painful memories for him. He manages to nurture Reagan and restores him to a healthier mental state. He learns of the terrible circumstances surrounding Reagan's condition which he fears to reveal.

Cummings casually meets Elsie Sandor played by German born Kaaren Verne, who is now living with her dad in his grandmother's old house. The begin a relationship that convinces him to start life anew in Kings Row.

Director Sam Wood does a marvelous job in creating a mesmerizing soap opera plot which truly engrosses you in the lives of the inhabitants of Kings Row. Reagan, Cummings, Rains and Sheridan were wondrous in their roles. Coburn playing the hated Dr. Gordon and veteran actor Harry Davenport playing Colonel Skeffington, but better known as Dr. Meade in "Gone With the Wind", were terrific in supporting roles.

It's the turn of the century. Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) and Drake McHugh (Ronald Reagan) are best friends growing up in the town of Kings Row, a small town that likes to call itself "A good clean town, a good town to live in, and a good place to raise your children." They're both orphans being raised by others and who pal around with three other friends. This is the story of what happens to the five of them as they become adults, particularly Parris and Drake.

When I'm really hungry late at night and go to raid the refrigerator, sometimes, way in the back, I find a piece of cheese that I'd forgotten and which has become so ripe and soft and flavorful I can hardly wait to take a bite. I feel exactly the same way about Kings Row, which was just on cable. I can't really explain why I like the movie, other than it is such well-made melodrama it somehow is immensely satisfying.

Some of the elements which make it work for me: The actors are great. Charles Coburn as Dr. Gordon, cold, cruel and vindictive; a surgeon who performs unnecessary operations to punish people. Ann Sheridan as Randy from across the tracks, sexy and wise; Betty Field as Cassie Tower, long forgotten now, I suppose, but such a good actress and so sympathetic; Ronald Reagan doing a great job as the happy-go-lucky back slapper who winds up under Dr. Gordon's scalpels but who eventually fights back and wins; Claude Raines as Dr. Tower, withdrawn and sad (and, in the book, just a tad incestuous). Even Robert Cummings, so conscientious and sincere it makes your teeth hurt, is watchable. I find myself rooting for Cummings to pull off the acting job the same way I'd root for a gerbil who for once had found a way to swallow the snake. The dialogue at times is so stilted and corny it just transcends being bad:
Parris: Stick your chin out, Drake.
Drake: Why?
Parris: You're gonna get the worst wallop you ever had.
Drake: Yeah? Who's gonna do it?
Parris: I am.
Drake: Start swingin'.
The story line, a group of young friends and what happens to them in this town of secrets, is a proven grabber. And the film is well made, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to me. Sam Wood, the director, was a long-time Hollywood professional who also directed such films as Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Kitty Foyle, The Pride of the Yankees and Command Decision.

I'll undoubtedly watch it again -- and enjoy it. Hope it comes out soon on DVD.

This has long been one of my favorite films, so it is gratifying to see so many others also appreciate it.
However, to Ryuichi, I must really object to the characterization of this great score as banal. Such an opinion prompts one to wholly question whether you have any musical taste or judgement at all.
This is one of Korngold's best scores and that fact alone marks it as truly memorable.

This is a fantastic movie! Ronald Reagan was finally given a chance to showcase his dazzling charisma as the tragic hero. The musical score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold can't be forgotten. And those final five minutes--wow! You'll feel like crying and cheering. Sam Wood used many of technical crew with whom he worked on Gone with the Wind. William Cameron Menzies designed the larger-than-life look of all the scenes, especially in the very first sequence as the movie opens and the very final one. It's also amazing what the censorship board let this movie get away with (thank the Lord). There's incest, insanity, a psychotic doctor who enjoys multilating his patients who he's felt have sinned (like one of the major cast members). Bette Davis even wanted to play the role of the young, crazed girl, Cassie, but Jack Warner said it was too little a role. Ida Lupino was offered the same role but turned it down because she had just delivered an unforgettable performance as the crazed Lana Carlson in another classic, They Drive By Night. One major weakness: Robert Cummings as the hero. It should have been someone like John Garfield or Robert Taylor. Extraordinary supporting cast: Maria Ouspenskya ("Even a man who is pure of heart...)Ann Sheridan gives the performance of a lifetime. Don't miss this one. Glorious! Magnificent!

Everything about this movie was stellar! The performances by Ann Sheridan, Ronald Reagan, and Robert Cummings were nothing short of phenomenal. I had always presumed Reagan was a lightweight as an actor; his performance as Drake McHugh in this movie proved me wrong. A gem of a classic! I'm ordering it to buy on VHS today!