This was made for an urban immigrant audience, and it must have touched them mightily in 1940. Ultimately, this is about poverty and ambition. It is still great; only a grinch will not tear up at the end. Corny, dated, melodramatic, full of clichés, but played by the most professional cast you can imagine. It touches on basic human emotions and needs which have not changed since 1940.
Now and then a 21st century movie comes along which can compete. I go to see them. Most of the time I am part of only a half dozen people in the theater. The great genius of the old studios was that they could make movies which touched on the human condition in such a way that it appealed to a mass audience.
Now and then a 21st century movie comes along which can compete. I go to see them. Most of the time I am part of only a half dozen people in the theater. The great genius of the old studios was that they could make movies which touched on the human condition in such a way that it appealed to a mass audience.