Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Marsha Hunt, Felix Bressart, and Fay Holden star in "Blossoms in the Dust," a 1941 film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and nominated for several Oscars.
This is the story of Edna Gladney, an incredible woman who founded The Gladney Center for Adoption and worked tirelessly on behalf of children who were orphaned, disadvantaged, or physically challenged. She helped have 10,000 babies adopted, revolutionized adoption law and practices, and helped remove what was once the stigma of adoption.
Though the beginning of the story shows Gladney living at home with her parents and her adopted sister, in truth, Gladney's mother sent her to live with an aunt and uncle at a young age. It's unlikely the character of Charlotte (Marsha Hunt) was real. In the film, it's Charlotte's situation that is one of Gladney's inspirations to pursue her work. Edna's courtship with Sam Gladney, however, is correct in the movie.
The rest of the film is the usual biopic, with events telescoped and combined.
The bottom line, though, is that this is a wonderful film that requires a box of tissues to get through. Greer Garson is luminous as Edna, showing her as kind, passionate, tough, and loving; of course, she and Walter Pidgeon are terrific together as always. The children are beautiful and will pull at your heartstrings.
Typical MGM fare, with the high production values and color. Edna Gladney certainly did make blossoms in the dust. If you can, rent this, or don't miss it if you see it on TCM's schedule.
This is the story of Edna Gladney, an incredible woman who founded The Gladney Center for Adoption and worked tirelessly on behalf of children who were orphaned, disadvantaged, or physically challenged. She helped have 10,000 babies adopted, revolutionized adoption law and practices, and helped remove what was once the stigma of adoption.
Though the beginning of the story shows Gladney living at home with her parents and her adopted sister, in truth, Gladney's mother sent her to live with an aunt and uncle at a young age. It's unlikely the character of Charlotte (Marsha Hunt) was real. In the film, it's Charlotte's situation that is one of Gladney's inspirations to pursue her work. Edna's courtship with Sam Gladney, however, is correct in the movie.
The rest of the film is the usual biopic, with events telescoped and combined.
The bottom line, though, is that this is a wonderful film that requires a box of tissues to get through. Greer Garson is luminous as Edna, showing her as kind, passionate, tough, and loving; of course, she and Walter Pidgeon are terrific together as always. The children are beautiful and will pull at your heartstrings.
Typical MGM fare, with the high production values and color. Edna Gladney certainly did make blossoms in the dust. If you can, rent this, or don't miss it if you see it on TCM's schedule.