The Sun Comes Up

Director: Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe

Overview

In this drama, an embittered widow, a former concert singer, can't help but blame Lassie for her son's death. Needing help with her chores, she hires an orphan from the local home. At first she remains aloof towards the charming lad who quickly bonds with the collie dog, but as time passes she can't help but develop feelings for the boy. Later Lassie redeems herself when she saves the boy from a terrible fire in the orphanage. After that, the widow suddenly realizes that she does indeed love the boy and adopts him and puts Lassie back in her good graces.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/27/2012
UPC:	0883316648247
Original Release:	1949
Source:	Warner Archives
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	45,029

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jeanette MacDonald	Helen Lorfield Winter
Claude Jarman Jr.	Jerry
Lloyd Nolan	Thomas I. Chandler
Percy Kilbride	Mr. Willie B. Williegoode
Lewis Stone	Arthur Norton
Nicholas Joy	Victor Alvord
Margaret Hamilton	Mrs. Golightly
Hope Landin	Mrs. Pope
Esther Somers	Susan
Dwayne Hickman	Hank Winter
Teddy Infuhr	Junebug
Barbara Billingsley	Nurse
Lassie the Dog	Actor
Charles Trowbridge	Dr. Gage
John Butler	Doorman
Ida Moore	Sally
Paul E. Burns	Dr. Sample
Guy Wilkerson	Man
Peter Roman	Love
Mickey McGuire	Cleaver
A. Cameron Grant	Music Lover
John Sheffield	Music Lover,Music Lover
Douglas Carter	Music Lover
Wilson Wood	Music Lover
Barry Norton	Music Lover
Tim Hawkins	Orphan
Alan Dinehart III	Orphan
Michael Dill	Orphan
Charles Bates Perry	Orphan
Jimmy Crane	Orphan
Robert Beyers	Orphan
Henry Sylvester	Ad Lib Bit
John Beck	Ad Lib Bit
Edward Peil Sr.	Ad Lib Bit
Frank Pharr	Ad Lib Bit
Cy Stevens	Musician
Cosmo Sardo	Musician
Stuart Holmes	Musician
George Calliga	Musician
Albert Pollet	Musician
Ed Agresti	Musician
Cecil Stewart	Accompanist
Jessie Arnold	Woman
Claude Jarman	Actor

Technical Credits

Margaret Fitts

William Ludwig

Richard Thorpe	Director
Margaret Fitts	Screenwriter
William Ludwig	Screenwriter
Robert Sisk	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Fans of the Lassie series will not be disappointed by The Sun Comes Up, although fans of star Jeanette MacDonald might be. Not that MacDonald herself is in any way disappointing, mind you. The legendary operetta star is still in tremendous voice in Sun, treating her audience to a few arias in the course of the film that demonstrate that she could still produce the same glorious sounds as always. She's also in fine form as an actress, giving a lovely performance throughout. No, the problem is simply that this is a Lassie film, even if MacDonald has more screen time; this means that the script not only has to pull focus to the adorable canine at times but that it also will have a number of maudlin scenes that are not exactly high drama. That said, they're also scenes that are hard to resist, even as one is aware of how blatantly one is being manipulated. Sun also has the plus of a fine juvenile performance from Claude Jarman, Jr., as well as welcome and able support from Lloyd Nolan, Percy Kilbride and Margaret Hamilton. Richard Thorpe's direction doesn't win any awards, but it more than gets the job done, and Andre Previn's score is an asset.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler