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Ah, Wilderness!

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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 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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Ah, Wilderness!

Critics Reviews

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Otis Ferguson The New Republic 05/07/2024
Much of the film is silly, but Ah, Wilderness remains a job of picture making, in craftsmanship and feeling, that is wonderful to see. Go to Full Review Miguel de Zárraga Cine-Mundial 11/19/2020
A pleasant comedy, that makes you think. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine 04/22/2020
Aline MacMahon as the wise spinster is most convincing. Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 08/12/2019
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. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 01/09/2013
B+
This classic coming of age tale, based on Eugene's O'Neil's serio comedy, is charming and extremely well acted. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D 03/04/2024 Not even remotely amusing. See more Frances H 07/06/2021 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. See more 04/01/2010 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. See more 04/01/2010 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. See more Read all reviews
Ah, Wilderness!

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Cast & Crew

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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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Ah, Wilderness!

Ah, Wilderness! (1935) Ah, Wilderness! (1935) View more photos

Movie Info

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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