Ah, Wilderness! (1935)

Synopsis: Eugene O'Neill's only comedy is the basis for this atmospheric story of life in small-town New England. A nostalgic coming-of-age story radically different from O'Neill's trademark tragic style,... Eugene O'Neill's only comedy is the basis for this atmospheric story of life in small-town New England. A nostalgic coming-of-age story radically different from O'Neill's trademark tragic style, AH, WILDERNESS! stars Eric Linden as Richard Miller, a young man steering his way to maturity under the watchful eye of his parents. Spring Byington stars as Essie Miller, Richard's meddling mother, and Lionel Barrymoore is Nat Miller, his stoic father who is unable to communicate with his son as he reaches manhood. Richard is deeply in love with local sweetheart Muriel McComber (Cecilia Parker) but is unable to date her because of the disapproval of her parents. Heartbroken and unsure how to continue, Richard turns for advice to his boozy and brash uncle (Wallace Beery), who attempts to school the naive young man in the ways of the world. After a night at a local bar, Richard learns the hard way about his uncle's version of the world. The glow of youthful exuberance brought to life in a small town is beautifully rendered by director Clarence Brown in a series of unforgettable character-driven scenes, The film features a young Mickey Rooney and Bonita Granville as Richard's taunting siblings. When the story was remade as the musical SUMMER HOLIDAY in 1948, Rooney starred as Richard. [More]

Starring: Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Aline MacMahon, Eric Linden

Starring: Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Aline MacMahon, Eric Linden, Cecilia Parker, Mickey Rooney, Frank Albertson, Bonita Granville, Spring Byington, Charley Grapewin

Director: Clarence Brown

Director: Clarence Brown
Producer: Hunt Stromberg
Screenwriter: Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich
Composer: Herbert Stothart

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