A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Delivered on time. On good condition

It's never on Television so it's great to see a Blu Ray. Just make sure you have a Blu ray player that can play region B. I couldn't just push play and have it start. I had to go into the Menu on my remote and then hit play on the chapters. The extras will play also.

I've been looking for this for a long time. I'm enjoying it.

Read this as teenager. Think an aunt had recommended. Would like to read again.

Entertainment

Betty Smith's heartfelt and timeless novel of a young girl's passage through her youth in the Brooklyn slums was transformed by director Elia Kazan into one of the most touching and deeply felt films ever made. It has that rare ability to break your heart one moment and make you smile the next. There is a tenderness here that has rarely been captured on film. Many point to Elia Kazan's flashier films, but it was this sentimental film that was his crowning achievement. There are moments in this film when even those who never cry at the movies will be moved to tears.Peggy Ann Garner was so wonderful as the young and sensitive Francie, the Academy gave her an Oscar for Most Promising Juvenile Performer. James Dunn garnered an Oscar also as Francie's loving father, Johnny Nolan, a singing waiter with a gift for dreaming he passes on to Francie, who wants to be a writer. Francie's papa makes their hard life worth living and she worships him. He understands and adores her.But when he isn't working, Johnny is usually drunk. Everyone in their poor neighborhood knows Johnny is a good man, however, and loves and respects him. He is the one who will find a way for Francie to attend the school she dreams of, even though it is far from their home. Francie's mother is the only one who doesn't seem to see how special Johnny is.Dorothy McGuire gives another terrific performance as Francie's hard working mother, Katie, who tries desparately not to love her boy Neely more than Francie, and fails; tries desparately not to become bitter with the charming lad she married in her youth, but can't; and tries desparately not to let her heart grow cold and hard, and fails once more.Francie and her family may live in poverty, but Kazan takes the time to show the joy that can be found in the small things in life. For Francie, her father represents happiness and living. Joan Blondell, as Katie's sister and Francie's aunt Sissy, with her free spirit and big heart, adds to Francie's joy in life. It is one of Blondell's finest roles.It is Peggy Ann Garner's emotional performance, however, you will always remember. She brings a sweetness and sincerity to Francie that makes her unforgettable. Purchasing this film is an opportunity to own one of the true masterpieces in American cinema. It will touch your heart and remind you what Hollywood was once capable of, and make you wonder where it all went wrong.

A black and white movie of the 40s does a great job visualizing Betty Smith’s book. As with any movie the story must compress and omit but I felt it conveyed the essence of the story along with the tenderness and realities of the time and place. I enjoyed the movie having read the book first.

The Betty Smith novel from which this movie is adapted, was one of my mother's favorite books; and since it was in her collection and readily available, it's one of the first books I read as a youngster. Mom loved movies too and I'm sure she went to see this when it first came out in 1945...but amazingly, today was the first time I've seen this exceptional film. The novel is divided into five books and this film roughly covers the events in Books 1, 3 and 4. It is a slice-of-life story of a second generation Irish-American family living in turn-of-the century (1912) Brooklyn. Katie and Johnny Nolan have two children; 13 year old Francie and 12 year old Neeley. Katie is the primary breadwinner, washing floors in the tenement where they live and collecting rags for sale. Johnny is an alcoholic singing waiter, who has trouble holding down a job. Francie is a sensitive and intelligent teen, a good student with a talent for writing. James Dunn, who plays Johnny was a leading man in his early career, but hit a rough patch, so this role which earned him an Oscar, was a huge comeback for him. Dorothy McGuire, who plays Katie, also delivers an inspired performance. But the best performance - arguably - is by child actor, Peggy Ann Garner, as Francie and she won a Juvenile Academy Award for her performance; but as with many gifted child actors, she never caught on as an adult. Also look for Joan Blondell as Aunt Sissie (Katie's sister); and Lloyd Nolan as Officer McShane, who befriends the family. Great direction by Elia Kazan, in his directorial debut, this is a masterpiece of the film maker's art.

This is one of those beautiful heart-warming films that leaves you uplifted in its wake.Francie and Neeley are part of an impoverished family trying to improve their lot in their overcrowded New York tenement. Father is a drunken dreamer who can’t seem to make a living yet inspires everyone he meets. Mum has to distance herself from emotion as she accounts for every penny.But the film is not about ragamuffins clawing against grimy poverty. Everyone is so clean and well behaved – mum is forever scrubbing the stairs, and even the junk the children collect seem sterile from spotless streets. As you would expect from a 1945 production based on 1910 Brooklyn, the children are arian white, well-groomed, slim and pretty. “My kids are going to be somebody if I have to turn into granite rock to make them,” says mum.12-year-old Peggy Ann Garner won a special Oscar for her role as a resolute, aspirational perfect daughter. You will glow every time she smiles, and cry when she weeps, and warm as she radiates joy. But this was 1910: the girl was scripted to aspire to feminine attributes – to be good looking, to be a writer, and have a baby. As a sweet innocent pretty white girl, aided by incredible lighting and clear enunciation, she performed her role perfectly.Watch the film, then immerse yourself in Betty Smith’s classic novel.

I am amazed that I had never seen this film before. I knew the title…it arrived in my post and I had forgotten that I had ordered it. Why did I order it? .Then I realised…It was the first film directed byElia Kazan. Loved his films, East of Eden and Baby Doll etc.Now this one…and what a film it is. Perfect film making and perfect acting all round. It is now an all time favourite and a film to cherish.The reviews, it seems, nearly all positive but for the odd weed among the golden wheat.That happens most times what ever the film so not surprising.Lots of pleasure ahead from this film…….for me.

I have ordered this to watch at Christmas, but have had a quick look through, and it meets all my expectations and more (see update below) The quality of the black and white print is superb, as is the acting and the wonderful storyline which transports the viewer to times when people made their own fun without gadgets or money, and faced tragedy and hardship with strength, helping each other through the tough times. Peggy Ann Garner, the child star is turns in a great performance, without sentimentality or sugar, and is utterly believable in the role. Dorothy McGuire also gives a heart-rending performance in her usual easy but sincere and involving style. How lucky they were to have Elia Kazan directing.UPDATE: I have now watched the movie several times and it's even better than expected. And I defy anyone not to shed a tear when the father sings Annie Laurie to his adoring daughter (sentimental by our standards, but people took their songs seriously in those harsh, unforgiving days, and the movie captures this beautifully, with the sound of a barrel organ filling the air in the opening credits). Also, it seems that the film may not be not as good as the novel, but having never read the book that didn't spoil my enjoyment. TECHNICAL BIT: Amazon have listed reviews for different products together here, but my review is for the Korean import (green DVD cover, with image of Peggy Anne Garner) but it plays in English, and it's easy to turn the Korean subtitles off. If you are hard of hearing it's also easy to switch on the English subtitles, although the sound quality is excellent. If you want this version, just key in 'Korean' after the title in your search.

Eureka's Masters of Cinema Blu-Ray of this 1945 classic is outstanding. It's one of the sharpest bits of remastering I've seen. Leon Shamroy's black and white photography is pin sharp. The film's brilliantly acted by young and old and is worth every penny.

a movie my mom took me to see.. many many years later in scotland, we were driving in a heavily wooded forest (trees all cut down) area.. when we saw a lone tree away over there, we both looked at each other an smiled... 'a tree grows in brooklyn'.. we had created a memory by going to see the movie .. ha ! well worth buying this movie.. cheers hamc..