5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
WAY BACK WHEN., September 13, 2002
This review is from: Way Back Home [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This quaint odd-ball curio shows that a loving character can overcome prejudices regarding illegitamacy and genetic parentage. Based on the once-popular radio serial OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS which starred Phillips Lord as Seth Parker, the story is cliched, the acting sometimes embarrasingly bad, while the singing is interminable. About the only time the film comes alive is in the buggy-chase toward the end - a nicely photographed sequence with some impressive stuntwork. A young Bette Davis (as Mary Lucy) is the love-interest of Frank Albertson. The story concerns a Maine preacher who manages to keep his foster son: it places very little emphasis on "preaching", but rather on common sense humanity of the "little people". As such, it has worth: as depiction of a cleric, the humanity, not the faith, is what shines through. Occasionally unintentionally hilarious.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Makes A Good Case for a Return to "Silent" Films, May 5, 2006
This review is from: Way Back Home [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Rebecca: This is so bad it's almost good.
Enid: This is so bad it's gone past good and back to bad again.
If 1932's "Way Back Home" had been made a couple years earlier, it might have caused Hollywood to abandon "talkies" and return to making silent films. Fortunately, by 1932 enough talking pictures had already been made for everyone to realize that sound was not necessarily a device of audience torture. This is a borderline musical, with some of the worst singing you will hear this side of my shower. By the last number you will be envious of those with a serious hearing loss.
Most of the viewers who stumble across this film are Bette Davis fans seeking out some of her early performances. Davis has a supporting role as the female half of the film's romantic interest. She is paired with Frank Albertson who plays a farm laborer whose mother is an outcast and whose father is a bachelor. She looks beautiful and fresh but nothing about portraying the character is challenging. It is arguably the worst early film in which she appeared.
It is based on an early radio character named Seth Parker, played by Phillips Lord in the film, whose family are simple country folks. Sort of Ma and Pa Kettle without the comedy. The principle subject of the film is Seth's unofficially adopted son Robbie, after ten years Robbie's biological father Rufus Turner is back to claim him.
The theme is that a community can rise above its prejudices regarding illegitimacy and genetic parentage if it has a good example to follow. Because everyone is a caricature and the acting is so uneven this worthwhile theme is turned into a sappy and silly embarrassment.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
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