Ah, Wilderness (Full Screen)

Young Richard Miller feels the constraints of his turn-of-the-century New England hometown and close-knit family. Out there - why, out there is a world of advanced ideas like Socialism, advanced men like Oscar Wilde and advanced women who will actually kiss a fellow! So Richard tries to practice a little out there right where he is... with warm, wonderfully funny results. A sterling cast highlighted by Best Actor Oscar® winners* Wallace Beery and Lionel Barrymore plus an up-and-comer named Mickey Rooney gives Eugene O'Neill's only comedy the loving luster it deserves. Horseless carriages, straw boaters, nickle beer: Ah, Wilderness is a portrait of an America long gone - but forever remembered.

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.

Coming Of Age | Family Interaction | Vintage