20th Century Fox
Not part of a collection.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Each heart-warming character comes alive on the screen!
In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
- Original title
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
CinemaSerf
Mar 2, 2025 · via TMDB
At the turn of the 20th century, the Nolan family eek out a living in New York. Mum “Katie” (Dorothy Maguire) is trying to raise impressionable daughter “Francie” (Peggy Ann Garner) and son “Neeley” (Ted Donaldson) whilst their well meaning but dipso entertainer of a father (James Dunn) struggles to make a living then hits the bottle when he does or doesn’t find work. The there’s the lively aunt “Sissy” (Joan Blondell) who seems prone to marry men called “Bill” - even if that isn’t actually his name at all, and whom “Katie” thinks is too much of a free-thinking abad influence on her children. When a third baby looms large, the pressure starts to increase on not just the couple but on their children who are already pretty adept at finding ways to raise the odd cent or two - and the bright and curious young girl’s schooling might also have to come to an abrupt and premature conclusion. When a tragedy hits the family hard, loyalties become strained and reality starts to test even the strongest bond whilst putting other things into a clearer perspective. At times this is really quite a funny drama, building on some solid Irish working class attitudes as it emphasises the values of family and of making sure those you love actually know it! It does pitch the sometimes conflicting characteristics of mother and daughter quite entertainingly and poignantly too and a strong effort from the young Garner and a sparingly engaging one from Donaldson as her cheeky sibling deliver strongly here helping to keep the film from drifting into melodrama or sentimentality.
barrymost
Sep 4, 2019 · via TMDB
This is the charming adaption of Betty Smith's acclaimed novel. It's both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The acting is riveting all the way around, and this is one of those rare times when everyone is perfectly cast. But particularly Peggy Ann Garner and James Dunn, both of whose careers, interestingly and unfortunately enough, were failing within the next decade. They act marvelously well together, as the bright young daughter and her kindly, imaginative, but tragically alcoholic father. I nearly cried a few different times during this movie, and if you have a heart, you'll probably get pretty close to tears as well.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Dorothy McGuire
Katie Nolan
Joan Blondell
Aunt Sissy
James Dunn
Johnny Nolan
Lloyd Nolan
Officer McShane
James Gleason
McGarrity
Ted Donaldson
Neeley Nolan
Peggy Ann Garner
Francie Nolan
Ruth Nelson
Miss McDonough
John Alexander
Steve Edwards
B.S. Pully
Christmas Tree Vendor
Ferike Boros
Grandmother (uncredited)
Virginia Brissac
Miss Tilford (uncredited)
Lillian Bronson
Librarian (uncredited)
Adeline De Walt Reynolds
Mrs. Waters (uncredited)
Charles Halton
Mr. Barker (uncredited)
J. Farrell MacDonald
Mr. Carney The Junkman (uncredited)
Mae Marsh
Tynmore Sister (uncredited)
Nicholas Ray
Bakery Clerk (uncredited)
Erskine Sanford
Undertaker (uncredited)
Gloria Talbott
Teen-Age Girl in Classroom (uncredited)
Robert J. Anderson
Augie (uncredited)
Jessie Arnold
Nurse (uncredited)
John Berkes
Mr. Creckenbox (uncredited)
Wyrley Birch
Old man on second floor landing (uncredited)
Al Bridge
Cheap Charlie (uncredited)
Bobby Burns
Library Patron (uncredited)
George M. Carleton
Doctor (uncredited)
Alec Craig
Werner (uncredited)
Fernanda Eliscu
Undetermined (uncredited)
Teddy Infuhr
Boy in Soda Fountain (uncredited)
Mickey Kuhn
Boy at Christmas Tree Throw (uncredited)
Eva Lee Kuney
Girl (uncredited)
George Meader
Principal (uncredited)
George Melford
Mr. Spencer (uncredited)
Robert Milasch
Citizen (uncredited)
Francis Pierlot
Priest at Funeral (uncredited)
Constance Purdy
Undetermined (uncredited)
Art Smith
Charley (uncredited)
William Smith
Boy (uncredited)
Robert Strange
Doctor (uncredited)
Dink Trout
Undetermined (uncredited)
Paul Weigel
Candy Store Proprietor (uncredited)
Martha Wentworth
Sheila's Mother (uncredited)
Leon Shamroy
Director of Photography
Elia Kazan
Director
Dorothy Spencer
Editor
Louis D. Lighton
Producer
Alfred Newman
Original Music Composer
Anita Loos
Dialogue
Nicholas Ray
Dialogue
Tess Slesinger
Screenplay
Pavlínka
Romance Doll
Poslední ples na rožnovské plovárně
My Brother
Laps
Radioactive
Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets
Gasman
Oliver Twist
Das Spinnennetz
The Biggest Heroes
Age of Consent
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima
Liar, Liar
Exhibit A
Love and Anger
The Passion of Ayn Rand
Marrying the Mafia 3: Family Hustle
Keechaka Vadham
Ban Dal (Half-Moon)
Anne of Green Gables
Cabrini
East of Eden
Sounder
The Secret Garden
Mr. Church
Fatima
C'mon C'mon
The Glass Castle
The Keys of the Kingdom
Goodbye Christopher Robin
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
House of Strangers
The Dead
Little Lord Fauntleroy
The Namesake
Avalon
Small Things Like These
Passing
Dancing at Lughnasa
Feb 28, 1945
