(1941)
4.5
Richard Gilliam
This melodrama is often cited as a precursor to the 1957 soap opera Peyton Place, and it also influenced David Lynch's dark, surreal look at the corrupt underside of middle America in Blue Velvet (1986). Prior to the breakdown of Hollywood censorship codes in the 1960s, few films pushed the envelope as much as Kings Row. The performances are all strong, particularly Ronald Reagan's career-best work as the disabled playboy; Reagan would title his 1960s autobiography Where's the Rest of Me? after his key line in the film. Unlike in most of director Sam Wood's previous work, the stark visuals enhance the disturbing onscreen events. The disquieting ambience comes courtesy of cinematographer James Wong Howe and production designer William Cameron Menzies. Erich Wolfgang Korngold's orchestral score is among his best.
Kings Row on AllMovie
Kings Row (1941)
