George Stevens produces a very sweet immigrant tale here, almost too syrupy at times, but with lots of good observations on the human condition.

This movie balances two truisms about our species - the tendency for extended families to...
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George Stevens produces a very sweet immigrant tale here, almost too syrupy at times, but with lots of good observations on the human condition.

This movie balances two truisms about our species - the tendency for extended families to stick together and a highly developed maternal instinct. The scenes of Irene Dunne sneaking into the hospital to visit Dagmar are touching and echoed at the film's close (it's Katrin's first published story). The vignettes are, by and large, powerful with lots of small details behind them.

While the play behind the movie may have specified this scene, I strongly believe that the occasion of Uncle Chris' death would have been improved if he hadn't expired the second he takes his last cherished drink. Still, his character is great for the story. While slightly too sentimental and populated with broad characterizations, the movie shines in letting Dunne play the mother just about dead-on.