Directed by Henry Hathaway, most famous for True Grit and with a true film acting heavyweight in Henry Fonda, one might expect more of this. Fonda is actually only billed third in this but adds some gravitas and poignancy as one third of a love triangle that also involves Sylvia Sidney and Fred MacMurray. Sidney as the nominal star is alternately affecting and irritating in her emotional scenes but is watchable and has presence throughout, whereas MacMurray is square jawed and masculine as the outsider who gets caught up in the middle. The plot concerns an age old feud between mountain families the Tollivers and the Falins and riches that come their way when the railroad wishes to gain a path through their territory. In the supporting cast "Spanky" McFarland of Our Gang fame, is fun as a junior member of the Tolliver clan, Fuzzy Knight is amusingly eccentric and in good voice as Tater and Nigel Bruce, though mostly sidelined has a couple of amusing moments as MacMurray's right hand man.
Review of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
