In the mid-'40s, in the midst of producing some uncertain literary adaptations and boring musicals, 20th Century Fox did itself proud with this stirring version of Betty Smith's famous novel. Set in 1912 Brooklyn, it's remarkably atmospheric and un-Hollywood looking, and helped by Alfred Newman's hurdy-gurdy scoring, zeroing in on time and place as few studio movies of the era were able to. The screenplay's an entirely reasonable reduction of the rich novel, and the cast is extraordinary. I've been reading so much praise of Peggy Ann Garner's Francie, and just want to add: She has such a stillness about her, the look of someone who's hearing music no one else can, and she gets deep, deep into the bones of this questioning young girl. James Dunn captures Johnny's dreaminess and too-willingness to fool himself, and Dorothy McGuire doesn't short-sell Katie's hard-to-like practicality. Elia Kazan shoots it with considerable artistry, always putting the camera where it ought to be, and doesn't over-sentimentalize, which would be very tempting with this property. At a leisurely 128 minutes, it has a couple of scenes that could have been cut and a couple more that end inconclusively, but it's a grownup, moving movie that improves with age.

This was director Elia Kazan's first attempt in the director's chair and you certainly would not have known it. Thank goodness it was the beginning of a very prestigious career for Mr. Kazan, winning twice for Best Director at the Academy Awards in 1948 for Gentleman's Agreement and again in 1955 for On The Waterfront.This black and white film pulls no punches in the telling of the hardships faced by Katie (Dorothy McGuire) and Johnny Nolan (James Dunn won for best supporting actor) and their two children daughter Francie (Peggy Ann Garner) and son Neeley (Ted Donaldson). The father of the household Johnny, makes a sporadic living as a part time waiter and singer and a full time heavy drinker. To try and make ends meet, the children's mother Katie works washing floors and she makes every penny count in their household. Francie loves her parents and she has a very special bond with her drunkard father as they both dream big. Mother Katie does not have time for the dreams of her husband as someone in their household needs to face the reality of paying the rent and the life insurance payments for a family of four which come due each month, and that responsibility falls directly on the shoulders of mom Katie.Katie Nolan has a sister who the children call Aunt Sissy (Joan Blondell) who is pretty and her looks allow for her to have a steady stream of both suitors and husbands which is in direct contrast with sister Katie's hard working and strict rules for her children.There are fantastic supporting roles such as that of police constable McShane (Lloyd Nolan) who always seems to be around when the Nolan's are having troubles, and troubles they do have. Although the early 1900's were a much simpler time, life's struggles were much more difficult and this film will make us all appreciate how easy we have had it compared to the many families who barely got by each day with the most simplest of requirements like shelter, food and clothing.I loved this film and the message it extends to us the audience. Appreciate what you do have and more importantly appreciate each other because you can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your family.I give the film a 9 out of 10 rating

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" was adapted from the best selling novel of the same name by Betty Smith. It was also the first feature film to be directed by the legendary Elia Kazan. Boy what a debut and keep the Kleenex handy.The story centers around an early 20th century family living in the run down tenements of Brooklyn. Told through the eyes of Francie Nolan (Peggy Ann Garner) we follow the ups and downs of her family....mother Kate (Dorothy McGuire), dad Johnny (James Dunn), brother Neeley (Ted Donaldson) in their daily lives.Johnny is a happy go lucky Irishman with high ambitions. He has trouble finding and keeping a job. He also has a penchant for a wee nip now and then. Kate is left with the task of running the household on literally pennies a day while working at scrubbing the stairs of their tenement on the side to help with the rent. The children run the errands such as selling junk to the junk man (J. Farrell McDonald), buying 10 cents worth of ground beef and getting in on the distribution of 3 day old bread from the bakeries.Francie is very close to her father and he in turn to her. He manages to get her transferred to a better school and promises her the brighter future that he knows he cannot provide. Kate, becoming despondent over the family's hardships, finds herself becoming hardened despite reassurances from her flighty sister "Aunt Sissy" (Joan Blondell). Local cop on the beat Officer McShane (Lloyd Nolan) takes an interest in the family and secretly worships Kate.Kazan was able to get excellent performances from his ensemble cast. Dorothy McGuire the beauty that she was, is very convincing as the distraught mother with little hope for the future. James Dunn has you rooting for him as the ever down on his luck father. Peggy Ann Garner is superb as the young daughter who has ambitions to become a writer. Both Dunn and Garner received Academy Awards for their performances.Kazan would return to the tenements in Tennesee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1951.

Movies such as this continue to encourage me to watch the 'ole Black and Whites. The purity and true reflection of family values permeate this picture. It transcends time and place and represents the force of the human spirit to overcome all obstacles; big and small. The impression that stays with me the most is the relationship between father and daughter; there is a special bond that exists on pure love. As hard as things got Katie managed to provide a good home and the children were never worse for wear. She kept me entranced to see through her eyes. Though Johnny has human failings, his love of family is the lodestone of his personality and shone through to all he met. He made you feel good inside just by being around him.