Make Way For Tomorrow (1937)

“Two old-fashioneds — for two old-fashioned people…”

Bondi and Moore

Synopsis:
An elderly couple with financial problems (Beulah Bondi and Victor Moore) are forced to move into separate homes with their grown children.

Genres:

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this “poignant classic” makes a “good argument for Social Security”. It’s beyond depressing to watch Moore and Bondi being separated from each other after years of happy marriage, but fortunately director Leo McCarey doesn’t demonize the grown children — instead, he makes it easy to empathize with their dilemmas as well. The problem here isn’t family values — it’s the harsh economic reality of the time, a situation which unfortunately hasn’t improved all that much over the years.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Excellent performances by Beulah Bondi and Victor Moore (only 49 and 61 years old, respectively, at the time of filming)
    Couple
  • One of the most authentic portrayals of problems associated with aging

Must See?
Yes. This is a sadly neglected gem.

Categories

(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)

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