Btw, you don’t mention Spencer Charters, the cantankerous veterinarian who is won over when Chas Coburn treats him like a colleague. He is a sort of blend of Walter Brennan and Barry Fitzgerald, with a bit of Gabby Hayes thrown in.

I am another who is very interested in movies that depict the Depression, (however unrealistically or affected by the “isms” of their day). This is a good piece, which I read just after your fascinating account of Hallelujah, I’m a Bum.

“Only in Hollywood would such a mixture of political and aesthetic tastes collaborate in one movie–at least for a time. One of the myths about our “endless frontier” and its endless ability to shape our evolving national character was revived here, suggesting it still had spiritual strength, while others, such as long held notions of America’s being separate from the rest of the world, were amended, up to a point.”

This in particular interests me, the contemplative, socially-conscious Depression-era film that may bite off more than it can chew, but makes a noble attempt at “painting” a picture more than just “filming” one.

You and I must think alike. I watched this movie last night on TCM. What an interesting little film. I knew nothing about it but decided to watch because I was not familiar with the director. I really liked the movie, though I could not stay awake for the end. I thought about blogging about it but since I didn’t see the end, I discarded the idea. Thanks for doing it instead and giving it the A+ Moirafinnie treatment.