sly311 Watched it again this morning, although by chance--TCM had no 'description available' so had I not recognized the film I might have passed it by. Every time I watch I am saddened by the shallowness and callousness of the adult children who can't seem to get over their own 'importance' to lend a hand to their aging parents who at the sunset of their lives are in a real bind. The ending breaks my heart each time I see it. Great movie. Still relevant and still has a lesson to teach whether it be playing bridge or iPhoning. Self-centeredness crosses all time and barriers. Beautiful acting and story line. Who stays together for 50 years anymore?

pdeprima I watched this movie yesterday for the second time and cried . What a great old movie. I told 2 people about and cried while I was telling them the story. Too bad they don't make more movies like this. My mother used to say a mother can take care of 10 children but when it comes time for one of them to take care of them no one will.

charlywiles I'd heard of this film for years and always wanted to see it. I got my chance on TCM tonight and I wasn't disappointed. What a wonderful, heartbreaking little film. It's definitely a tearjerker, but the film is also filled with delightful humor, especially in the scene where the doctor calls on Victor Moore. Come to think of it, I was laughing so hard that I found myself crying during this scene as well. Both Moore and Beulah Bondi are a delight as the elderly couple and their scenes together at the end, at the hotel, are perfection. Another highlight is the scene where Thomas Mitchell must tell his mother (Bondi) that they may have to put her in a home and she turns the tables on him by making him think it was her idea. It's just wonderfully and touchingly acted by two terrific performers playing mother and son. The script, direction and fine acting from the cast all come together to make this picture a gem that is still relevant today. Be sure to catch this movie if you can - you'll be glad that you did.

bandw Anita (Fay Bainter) and Barkely (Victor Moore) are living comfortably in a large house which is soon to be foreclosed on. The couple calls a meeting with their children (there are five, but only four show up for the bad news) to tell them that they will have to be moving out. The situation, how to care for parents when they need help as they get older, is very much a contemporary concern. It seems that with a little tweaking this story could be updated to 2015, but this movie plays it so straight that I am not sure it could be made now. "Nebraska" comes to mind, but it has a lighter touch.There was not much of a safety net in place In 1937--Social Security had yet to write its first check--so financial considerations were then often the instigators for a family's facing taking care of parents, while age itself is a common instigator now. But the resultant experiences are the same. In the movie the parents are split between two of the children's families. The younger people have their own lives, and dealing with an older person landing in the family is difficult, for both the children and the parents. What happens is played out in a realistic way and is completely understandable. One is tempted to judge the children as selfish, but there are really no enemies here.I found a lot of the scenes to be simultaneously sad and humorous. For example, Anita gets on the phone during her daughter's teaching a bridge class and is so loud that an awkward silence falls over the entire class of a couple dozen people. Only one land line per house and no cell phones then.Some delights are to be had for a contemporary audience such as seeing how people dressed in 1937--the women's hairstyles, dresses, and hats are so appealing that it makes me think that we have lost a lot in having moved to casual comfort. At the age of 70 Anita and Barkley are viewed as being quite old. This is hard to accept until you understood that the average lifespan in 1937 was about 62. So, an updated version would have to have the old couple be in their 80s. The picture quality and sound on the Criterion Collection DVD are remarkably good.Be aware that Orson Welles called this the saddest movie he had ever seen.