vincentlynch-moonoi It's interesting reading the reviews here. I don't quite agree with them because I think the film misses the mark by a bit. To me there are two problems here. First off, I just don't quite buy Van Johnson in this role. It would have been great for Jimmy Stewart, but then again, Jimmy occasionally did Westerns and such. But seeing Van Johnson in the one big fist fight here...well, it just didn't sync with me. And, at times, the film tried to be just a little folksy. To some degree that was called for, but I would have eliminated 90% of Van Johnson's singing because not only was it out of place (at least to the extent it was included), but he also didn't have that good a voice.SPOILER ALERT! However, those two issues aside, the plot was a good one. A stranger (Van Johnson) shows up at a homestead right after the Civil War. The homestead is owned by supporters of the Confederacy, headed by veteran character actor Thomas Mitchell. And there's his wife (Selena Royle), lovely daughter (Janet Leigh in her first film role), and young son (Dean Stockwell). The stranger doesn't let his sympathies with the North be known, but he begins working at the homestead of his own volition. To be honest, it was pretty clear right from the very start that this stranger knew the homesteader's son who died in the war, and that he would eventually wed the daughter. But, there's a lot of interesting story in between your realization that's what will happen and when it does actually happen. The Civil War may be over, but the animosity between Northern and Southern sympathizers in Missouri isn't, and that fuels terrorism and mistrust in the settlement.Van Johnson is "satisfactory " here. He doesn't ruin the film by any means, but it's too far outside his typical casting for me to feel comfortable about him here. Thomas Mitchell is mostly pretty good here, although there were occasional scenes where I felt he sort of flubbed it. He seemed to old for the part, although he was actually only 55...just right for the role. He certainly needed his eyebrows trimmed!!!!! I actually found that quite distracting. Janet Leigh, not one of my favorites, was actually very good here in her first film role. We don't see Marshall Thompson as the son until a major flashback toward the end of the film; I usually liked him in his younger years. THe best acting here is actually done by Selena Royle, who plays the mother. Royle was once a real-life love interest of Spencer Tracy. She really very strong here. The young son is played by Dean Stockwell, who was one of the great child actors of the era, although he doesn't have a lot to do here, other than being present. There are a number of other famed character actors here that you'll recognize, including Guy Kibbee.The worst part of the film was the fist fight, which was waaaaaaaaaaaaay over-choreographed. Nevertheless, I'm glad I watched this film...once...but I don't think I'd want to see it again. It does show a side of the post-Civil War era that is not often covered in film.Recommended with reservations.

kspell I found this movie very uplifting and I believe quite true. My grandmother married my grandfather in almost the same situation. He had come to TX and found her while attending a political rally. They fell in love and married almost right away. Her father, a confederate, disowned her an never saw her again, as my grandfather's dad had fought for the Union. As I was watching it was so well done I felt I was there. Van Johnson and Janet Leigh (even though very young and quite new) was real as it gets. Unfortunately the quality of the film is quite poor, but maybe it will be restored and offered for DVD sale. Dean Stockwell did a fantastic job and should have won an award. Also, Missouri being the state seemed almost real.

danielj_old999 I loved the emphasis on community values in this film. The ideas that the main character pulls for are not a whit outdated and can certainly be applied to today's society. It seems that in life, as in this film, there is always an element who tries to pull apart the community spirit for their own ends. These ideas are presented here in a completely engaging manner and are there for all to see as simple common sense. Kudos to Thomas Mitchell for another grand performance. Too bad this is another forgotten film which should be resurrected for its ideas which are strangely hip and contemporary. And Janet Leigh does a wonderful job, as does the actress who plays her mother.

m_finebesser IMDB reader, please note: The genre is wrong -- this is a romantic musical comedy -- definitely NOT a drama.Janet Leigh's first lead role, opposite Van Johnson, is a nice showcase for her beauty and musical talents. The Romance of Rosy Ridge is sweetly old-fashioned with some strong small-town type veterans on hand. These are adorable people to spend time with and enjoy their bumpkin mannerism, especially O. Z. Whitehead. Van is resplendent as ever in the male lead.