Ah, Wilderness!

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Ah, Wilderness!

Released Dec 6, 1935

1h 39m

Comedy

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100%

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5 Reviews

62%

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50+ Ratings

In 1906, Richard Miller (Eric Linden) is selected as the valedictorian for his small-town high school. As such, the young idealist intends to use the opportunity to express anti-capitalist sentiments in his speech, though his father (Lionel Barrymore) interrupts before he can do so. Already facing disapproval at home, Richard finds himself on the outs with his girl (Cecilia Parker) when her father objects to their relationship. Richard decides to drown his sorrows, which makes matters worse.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

Much of the film is silly, but Ah, Wilderness remains a job of picture making, in craftsmanship and feeling, that is wonderful to see.

May 7, 2024

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Miguel de Zárraga

Cine-Mundial

A pleasant comedy, that makes you think. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 19, 2020

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

Aline MacMahon as the wise spinster is most convincing.

Apr 22, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Ah, Wilderness is genuine 1906, and well worth seeing even by those who can t remember the period when women wore pads in their pompadours, and watches pinned to the bosoms of their Gibson shirtwaists.

Aug 12, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

This classic coming of age tale, based on Eugene's O'Neil's serio comedy, is charming and extremely well acted.

Rated: B+

Jan 9, 2013

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Steve D

Not even remotely amusing.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

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Frances H

You just can't beat the acting skills of Lionel Barrymore, as he demonstrates here, and the rest of the cast are some of Hollywood's greatest character actors in a play by the great Eugene O'Neill, and one of the only ones he wrote that wasn't a a realistic drama. This film, instead, gives a fond, sentimental look back at the turn of the century. Perhaps the problems today seem very depressing by comparison with what was small town life back then.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/21

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Audience Member

Great cast. W.C. Fields was the first choice to play the Wallace Beery role, but Beery does an excellent job. Lionel Barrymore is good as well, Aline MacMahon is always wonderful. Spring Byington and a very young Mickey Rooney provide able support. The story is based on Eugene O?Neill?s only comedy, and it is a good tale. The characters are well defined, Clarence Brown ably directs. As always, the MGM production is excellent. Very good art direction, costume design and cinematography.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

75/100. Great cast. W.C. Fields was the first choice to play the Wallace Beery role, but Beery does an excellent job. Lionel Barrymore is good as well, Aline MacMahon is always wonderful. Spring Byington and a very young Mickey Rooney provide able support. The story is based on Eugene O'Neill's only comedy, and it is a good tale. The characters are well defined, Clarence Brown ably directs. As always, the MGM production is excellent. Very good art direction, costume design and cinematography.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Clarence Brown

Director

Wallace Beery

Sidney "Sid" Miller

Lionel Barrymore

Nat Miller

Eric Linden

Richard "Dick" Miller

Aline MacMahon

Lily Davis

Cecilia Parker

Muriel McComber

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Synopsis

In 1906, Richard Miller (Eric Linden) is selected as the valedictorian for his small-town high school. As such, the young idealist intends to use the opportunity to express anti-capitalist sentiments in his speech, though his father (Lionel Barrymore) interrupts before he can do so. Already facing disapproval at home, Richard finds himself on the outs with his girl (Cecilia Parker) when her father objects to their relationship. Richard decides to drown his sorrows, which makes matters worse.

Director: Clarence Brown
Producer: Hunt Stromberg, Clarence Brown
Screenwriter: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 39m

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