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      Way Down East

      Released Oct 31, 1935 1h 20m Drama List
      Reviews 20% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score In a New England town, the arrival of enigmatic drifter Anna Moore (Rochelle Hudson) disrupts the household of squire Amasa Bartlett (Russell Simpson). Anna, the daughter of a friend of Bartlett's wife, requests work and promises the righteous squire that she has always tried to lead a good life. Soon after her arrival, Bartlett's son, David (Henry Fonda), grows attracted to Anna. But when neighbor Lennox Sanderson (Edward Trevor) and another townswoman recognize Anna, it threatens to ruin her. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Gee, nobody seems to love this movie as much as I do! The film suffers, I think, from the pitfalls of being a remake of a beloved 1920s classic. Viewing with a fresh eye, however, the story delivers in a more contemporary manner than its predecessor. Only around 80 mins, one has to wade a little through the setup, which is conventional 1930s and a mundane score. That said, as the story starts to really roll, the acting flows pleasantly, convincingly and with reflective irony. Hudson, as the misunderstood ingenue, is thoroughly convincing and sympathetic. Fonda shines in a supporting role though this was only his second film. Shame and "political correctness" rule the day and ruin the lives of those who dare transgress! NOT A FAR CRY FROM THE SORTS OF PRESSURES MANY EXPERIENCE TODAY! But forgiveness, and the nobility of the human spirit, prevail. There are moments when my heart sinks, which make the emotional rebound later on all the more satisfying. Watch with an innocent eye, please. *There are scenes with Margaret Hamilton that MUST'VE been used as a model for the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz...you decide!!! :) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member good remake of a 1920 silent pic from dw griffith Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Old story of a fallen woman trying to start anew until gossip leads to near tragedy. Nothing special but professionally done with a very young Henry Fonda, in only his second film, earnest as the son and wonderful character actresses Spring Byington and Margaret Hamilton as a warm and understanding mother and a troublemaker respectively. The big ice floe finale doesn't hold a candle to the Lillian Gish classic original. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Way Down East

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      Critics Reviews

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      Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine Rochelle Hudson and Henry Fonda both give mild and pleasant performances in the chief roles. Aug 12, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In a New England town, the arrival of enigmatic drifter Anna Moore (Rochelle Hudson) disrupts the household of squire Amasa Bartlett (Russell Simpson). Anna, the daughter of a friend of Bartlett's wife, requests work and promises the righteous squire that she has always tried to lead a good life. Soon after her arrival, Bartlett's son, David (Henry Fonda), grows attracted to Anna. But when neighbor Lennox Sanderson (Edward Trevor) and another townswoman recognize Anna, it threatens to ruin her.
      Director
      Henry King
      Screenwriter
      Howard Estabrook, William Hurlbut, Lottie Blair Parker
      Distributor
      Fox, 20th Century Fox
      Production Co
      Fox Film Corporation
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 31, 1935, Wide
      Runtime
      1h 20m
      Sound Mix
      Mono