Sam Wood, never seemed to get the recognition as a brilliant director, but King's Row must rank high among his finest works.
There are many subtle touches, especially in his use of background action. Note the scene in which the bank manager first learns that the bank president may have fled with funds and leaves Reagan sitting at his desk. As the manager proceeds to the teller's cage, you can still see Reagan flirting and goofing around with Ann Sheridan in the far left background.
Further in the distance, a horse and carriage round the corner through the outside window. The result is brilliant. You believe you are in the year 1900. David Lean could not have done it better.
King's row is filled with such detailed period action shots and period scenes, yet the sets were clearly constructed on a limited budget. There are scenes of incredible sunsets with the rolling hills and dales, church steeples, and the buildings of Kings Row in an utterly charming, but evocative presentation of turn-of-the-century America.
The long, exterior shots seem to be inspired from Gone With The Wind, indeed, Sam Wood was one of the directors who was called on to finish that movie when the workload became too much for Victor Fleming.
Note also, the care with how the child actors are matched, in looks and mannerisms, with their adult actor counterparts. The little girl who plays Randy (Red) as a child is particularly good. Listen for her laugh when she is sitting on the fence. You actually believe that she might be a very young Ann Sheridan.
Reagan, Cummings, Sheridan, and Claude Rains are all excellent. But my favorite line in the movie is uttered by the evil Dr. Gordon as he is finishing his meal and slowly looks up and is a bit startled to find that his daughter has escaped and is present in front of him.
"... Is the party over? (pauses looks up) Where's your mother!!?"
There are many subtle touches, especially in his use of background action. Note the scene in which the bank manager first learns that the bank president may have fled with funds and leaves Reagan sitting at his desk. As the manager proceeds to the teller's cage, you can still see Reagan flirting and goofing around with Ann Sheridan in the far left background.
Further in the distance, a horse and carriage round the corner through the outside window. The result is brilliant. You believe you are in the year 1900. David Lean could not have done it better.
King's row is filled with such detailed period action shots and period scenes, yet the sets were clearly constructed on a limited budget. There are scenes of incredible sunsets with the rolling hills and dales, church steeples, and the buildings of Kings Row in an utterly charming, but evocative presentation of turn-of-the-century America.
The long, exterior shots seem to be inspired from Gone With The Wind, indeed, Sam Wood was one of the directors who was called on to finish that movie when the workload became too much for Victor Fleming.
Note also, the care with how the child actors are matched, in looks and mannerisms, with their adult actor counterparts. The little girl who plays Randy (Red) as a child is particularly good. Listen for her laugh when she is sitting on the fence. You actually believe that she might be a very young Ann Sheridan.
Reagan, Cummings, Sheridan, and Claude Rains are all excellent. But my favorite line in the movie is uttered by the evil Dr. Gordon as he is finishing his meal and slowly looks up and is a bit startled to find that his daughter has escaped and is present in front of him.
"... Is the party over? (pauses looks up) Where's your mother!!?"