This is a remarkable film, especially for 1937! Think of it -- the physical and sexual abuse of minors and young women and mothers, fratricide, and lynching. Wow!
The title tells it all -- legal and moral views of hillbillies coming into the 20th century. Of course, there's also a love story here -- that between George Brent and Josephine Hutchinson. The story is of an abusive hillbilly father that clearly thinks he owns his wife and two daughters -- one in her early 20s, the other approximately pubescent. After several beatings, the older daughters leaves for NYC where she becomes a nurse, and then returns to her hometown to help a local doctor open a clinic. Meanwhile, the father is forcing the young daughter to marry a low-life hillbilly. The older daughter kills her father as she is being beaten with a whip, and goes to jail to be tried for murder. George Brent to the rescue, as a NY city lawyer already hated in the town for previously winning a conviction (and short jail term) against the father when he committed murder. The ending may seem implausible in today's legal climate, but was possible back in those days...albeit just a tad to happy.
There are some wonderful performances here. George Brent is fine as the NYC lawyer. Josephine Hutchinson is absolutely wonderful as the older daughter, and every time I see her in an old movie I wonder why she didn't become a major star; she is a fine actress. Guy Kibbee plays the old doctor, and is good in the role, although most of his screen time in in the first half of the film. You'll hate Robert Barrat as the father, but it's an excellent portrayal. The judge is played by Joe King...and is named Joe King in the film; interesting, and a character actor you may recognize. Margaret Hamilton has a charming role as the spinster out to wed the doctor...and she succeeds; unfortunately, her screen time fades as the movie progresses. Unfortunately, Fuzzy Knight plays a likable hillbilly here; for a change I found him tolerable. Elisabeth Risdon plays the mother; another character actor you'll recognize, and this was typical of the roles she often played. Marcia Mae Jones plays the younger daughter well, and you'll recognize here as well (you may remember her as the semi-invalid daughter in Shirley Temple's "Heidi").
I rarely give "8"'s, but I am here. This is a forgotten gem!
The title tells it all -- legal and moral views of hillbillies coming into the 20th century. Of course, there's also a love story here -- that between George Brent and Josephine Hutchinson. The story is of an abusive hillbilly father that clearly thinks he owns his wife and two daughters -- one in her early 20s, the other approximately pubescent. After several beatings, the older daughters leaves for NYC where she becomes a nurse, and then returns to her hometown to help a local doctor open a clinic. Meanwhile, the father is forcing the young daughter to marry a low-life hillbilly. The older daughter kills her father as she is being beaten with a whip, and goes to jail to be tried for murder. George Brent to the rescue, as a NY city lawyer already hated in the town for previously winning a conviction (and short jail term) against the father when he committed murder. The ending may seem implausible in today's legal climate, but was possible back in those days...albeit just a tad to happy.
There are some wonderful performances here. George Brent is fine as the NYC lawyer. Josephine Hutchinson is absolutely wonderful as the older daughter, and every time I see her in an old movie I wonder why she didn't become a major star; she is a fine actress. Guy Kibbee plays the old doctor, and is good in the role, although most of his screen time in in the first half of the film. You'll hate Robert Barrat as the father, but it's an excellent portrayal. The judge is played by Joe King...and is named Joe King in the film; interesting, and a character actor you may recognize. Margaret Hamilton has a charming role as the spinster out to wed the doctor...and she succeeds; unfortunately, her screen time fades as the movie progresses. Unfortunately, Fuzzy Knight plays a likable hillbilly here; for a change I found him tolerable. Elisabeth Risdon plays the mother; another character actor you'll recognize, and this was typical of the roles she often played. Marcia Mae Jones plays the younger daughter well, and you'll recognize here as well (you may remember her as the semi-invalid daughter in Shirley Temple's "Heidi").
I rarely give "8"'s, but I am here. This is a forgotten gem!