A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Overview:

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) was a Drama - Family Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Louis D. Lighton.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Betty Smith published in 1943.

SYNOPSIS

In Kazan's directorial debut, standout performances make a touching adaptation of Smith's beloved novel. Set in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn, the story follows a family of Irish who struggle to simply survive in their teeming neighborhood. Dunn makes a sometime-living as a waiter, mother McGuire stretches every penny to the exasperation of the local merchants, and Garner dreams of a better life as she reads her way alphabetically though the library hoping to become a writer. The scenes of Garner and her brother (Donaldson) in the streets of Brooklyn are detailed and evocative; the emotional connections in the family seem palpably real. Sincere, moving family drama.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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A Tree Grows In Brooklyn was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2010.

Academy Awards 1945 --- Ceremony Number 18 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorJames DunnWon
Best WritingTess Slesinger, Frank DavisNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Betty Smith’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” glows on the screen

By Stephen Reginald on Dec 18, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

Betty Smith’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” glows on the screen A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) is an American drama directed by Elia Kazan and starring Dorothy McGuire, Joan Blondell, James Dunn, Lloyd Nolan, and Peggy Ann Garner as Francie. The film is based on the best-selling... Read full article


Exclusive Interview with Ted Donaldson – who starred in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Once Upon a Time and more

By Annmarie Gatti on Aug 20, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Exclusive Interview with Ted Donaldson about his career, special memories of Cary Grant, Harry Cohn, Elia Kazan and more… I?m so excited to say that I was able to sit down with Ted Donaldson for an exclusive video interview! I met Ted in 2018 at the TCM Film Festival and had such a lovely a... Read full article


The No, YOU'RE Crying! Blogathon: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

on May 12, 2017 From Caftan Woman

Debbie Vega of Moon in Gemini is hosting a blogathon devoted to those films that touch our hearts so deeply that tears spring from our eyes. She is calling it The No, YOU'RE Crying! Blogathon and it runs from May 12th to the 14th. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 I love the trailers of the classic era that ... Read full article


The No, YOU'RE Crying! Blogathon: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

By Caftan Woman on May 12, 2017 From Caftan Woman

Debbie Vega of Moon in Gemini is hosting a blogathon devoted to those films that touch our hearts so deeply that tears spring from our eyes. She is calling it The No, YOU'RE Crying! Blogathon and it runs from May 12th to the 14th. Grab a box of tissues and click here. I love the trailers of the cl... Read full article


See all A Tree Grows In Brooklyn articles

Quotes from

[first lines]
Katie Nolan: This'll be the last of them now, Francie.


Francie Nolan: Neeley ...
Neeley Nolan: Uh-huh?
Francie Nolan: Am I good-looking?
Neeley Nolan: Aw, what's eatin' ya?
Francie Nolan: No, honest, Neeley, I wanna know.
Neeley Nolan: [after considering her for a few moments] You'll pass.
Francie Nolan: You're sweet, Neeley.
Neeley Nolan: Aw, cut the mush.


Francie Nolan: [Johnny has promised to get Francie enrolled in the school she admires.] Bend down Papa.
[He does.]
Francie Nolan: My cup runneth over.


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Facts about

Gene Tierney was originally cast as Katie Nolan. When Tierney became pregnant, Dorothy McGuire was given the role.
After being so impressed by the dailies of the film, executives at Fox wanted to re-shoot the entire movie in Technicolor, but Elia Kazan refused.
The Betty Smith novel was the object of pre-publication bidding competition among several studios, with Darryl F. Zanuck and 20th Century-Fox ultimately paying $55,000 for the rights.
read more facts about A Tree Grows In Brooklyn...
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Best Supporting Actor Oscar 1945






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National Film Registry

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Released 1945
Inducted 2010
(Sound)




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Also directed by Elia Kazan




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Also produced by Louis D. Lighton




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