Katie Nolan
Dorothy McGuire
Katie Nolan
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
“Each heart-warming character comes alive on the screen!”
7.5
1945
2h 8m
Drama
Director: Elia Kazan
Overview
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.
Trailer
A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN 1945 Theatrical Trailer
Cast
Aunt Sissy
Joan Blondell
Aunt Sissy
Johnny Nolan
James Dunn
Johnny Nolan
Officer McShane
Lloyd Nolan
Officer McShane
McGarrity
James Gleason
McGarrity
Neeley Nolan
Ted Donaldson
Neeley Nolan
Francie Nolan
Peggy Ann Garner
Francie Nolan
Miss McDonough
Ruth Nelson
Miss McDonough
Steve Edwards
John Alexander
Steve Edwards
Christmas Tree Vendor
B.S. Pully
Christmas Tree Vendor
Grandmother (uncredited)
Ferike Boros
Grandmother (uncredited)
Miss Tilford (uncredited)
Virginia Brissac
Miss Tilford (uncredited)
Reviews
barrymost
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.
Read full reviewCinemaSerf
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.
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - DVD Trailer
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