Frank Morgan is not a Wizard here, but instead is a public servant, a man of the law who claims he is a man of the law, not of the people. Yet it is his service to the people that is important. The historic era of pre-1929 Virginia is portrayed here, based on the book account of what Lynchberg Virginia was like prior to 1929. While some might not appreciate Morgan as an actor, he shines in this one as Robert Yancey.
Robert is a Lynchberg District Attourney, elected for 10 terms to serve Lynchberg. Spring Byington as his wife Rosa keeps asking for him to stop running for re-election to the post but until he finally is defeated in 1929, he serves faithfully the people of Lynchberg. The family has daughters Kathryn Grayson ( Rebecca Yancey) who is a singer and is a bright light here much less a natural beauty who can not hide it from the camera, and Natalie Thompson (Margaret Yancey) plus another daughter and son has a full family life including the family servants in their traditional Lynchberg home.
Women's rights do get promoted here as one daughter (Margaret) wants to be her lawyer despite her father's wishes to the contrary. Rebecca actually drives the car (a Stanley Steamer) in the film. In a way, while this movie makes mention of the rights of Americans and that everyone should be free to do what they wish (a good message at the onset of World War 2), this film brings up many issues but does not try to push propaganda. In fact the biggest controversy is seemingly prohibition. The opinion prevailing here is that you can't enforce a law that too many people are against. Of course the film ends in 1929 during prohibition, but the message is clear.
As a historic account of what this country and family life was like in this era, this is an important film. There is a large black cast and there is even a sequence of one of Robert Yancy's black employees dying and the not usual event of Robert Yancy (Morgan) his white boss, getting to deliver a eulogy to him. This film is a look at a family that gets along with everyone, no matter who they are.
It does address race relations in surprising ways for a movie made while even the US Military was still segregated. This film is just overall well done.
Robert is a Lynchberg District Attourney, elected for 10 terms to serve Lynchberg. Spring Byington as his wife Rosa keeps asking for him to stop running for re-election to the post but until he finally is defeated in 1929, he serves faithfully the people of Lynchberg. The family has daughters Kathryn Grayson ( Rebecca Yancey) who is a singer and is a bright light here much less a natural beauty who can not hide it from the camera, and Natalie Thompson (Margaret Yancey) plus another daughter and son has a full family life including the family servants in their traditional Lynchberg home.
Women's rights do get promoted here as one daughter (Margaret) wants to be her lawyer despite her father's wishes to the contrary. Rebecca actually drives the car (a Stanley Steamer) in the film. In a way, while this movie makes mention of the rights of Americans and that everyone should be free to do what they wish (a good message at the onset of World War 2), this film brings up many issues but does not try to push propaganda. In fact the biggest controversy is seemingly prohibition. The opinion prevailing here is that you can't enforce a law that too many people are against. Of course the film ends in 1929 during prohibition, but the message is clear.
As a historic account of what this country and family life was like in this era, this is an important film. There is a large black cast and there is even a sequence of one of Robert Yancy's black employees dying and the not usual event of Robert Yancy (Morgan) his white boss, getting to deliver a eulogy to him. This film is a look at a family that gets along with everyone, no matter who they are.
It does address race relations in surprising ways for a movie made while even the US Military was still segregated. This film is just overall well done.