Kings Row (1942 Sam Wood)

Reminded to watch this again after seeing Neil Brand on Hollywood composers, and comparing Eric Wolfgang Korngold's epic score to the very similar sounding Star Wars theme thirty years later!

The definition of Melodrama, film is beautifully written by Casey Robinson from Henry Bellamann's novel: memorable lines such as "I'd hate God too, but there's nothing I can reach!" and the classic "Where's the rest of me?"
The two male leads aren't necessarily the best actors, but it doesn't matter: Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan, Ann Sheridan, Betty Field (a cracking performance as Cassandra), Charles Coburn and Claude Rains (both uncharacteristically serious), Judith Anderson, Nancy Coleman (another hysterical woman), Kaaren Verne (the Austrian girl at the end), Maria Ouspenskaya (Cummings' lovable gran), Ilka Grüning (good as the maid) and Harry Davenport (sporting an elaborate Perc Westmore beard and often cutting off conversations with Parris in the middle). The kids are Ann Todd, Scotty Beckett, Douglas Croft and Mary Thomas.

Left: Scotty Beckett, Top: Douglas Croft, Middle: Unknown.

Betty Field.

Photographer James Wong Howe isn't afraid to let it get good and dark, e.g. in storm scene with Parris and Cassandra. Also loved composition of shot where we don't really notice a tell-tale syringe in the foreground.

Incest theme was one of several reported censorship problems. Also that Cassandra was pregnant is only faintly alluded to.

Korngold's theme is brilliant. I immediately had to buy it. Sometimes it's so evocative you half expect Robin of Locksley to bound in, in colour! And special effects person Robert Burks is indeed the same man who went on to shoot Hitchcock's best pictures.

A film on the edge of hysteria, that always moves me to tears.