The Best Movie You've Never Seen: "Make Way For Tomorrow" (1937)

[The Internet]

In the words of Orson Welles - or as I like to call him, Awesome Welles - "It's the saddest movie ever made! It could make a stone cry!".

I also saw a quote from, I believe, Paul Dano that said something to the effect of: "There's this movie called "Make Way For Tomorrow". You should watch it with your lover....and as soon as it's over....you should call your parents."

An old couple lose their house.....and are forced to separate, each one living with a different son or daughter, miles and miles apart....more topical than ever.......

Cinematically, it's a basic and competent, nothing to draw attention to itself. But for story and performance....the only film that's like it is "Tokyo Story" which was directly influenced by this movie.........20 minutes in, almost to the second, you will begin to be aware this is a different kind of movie....and it just gets better and better. The last 40 minutes is a last act for the ages.........you can go look it up....or do as I did, I knew the title, started it, and knew nothing about it, and just let the movie unravel.

I'm sure someone here HAS seen "Make Way For Tomorrow".....and I'd be shocked if they dissented from what I just wrote.

Leo McCarey directed this, the same year he directed "The Awful Truth", which won him an Oscar. But when he got up to receive the award, he said "Thanks....but you gave it for the wrong picture."

"Make Way For Tomorrow". A really special, one-of-a-kind movie. See if I'm wrong. I could say "they don't make 'em like that anymore"....but the truth is....they never did. Just this once.

 

[The Internet]

Everything from the Golden Age of Hollywood is amazing.

Not everything was amazing, but....some of it was!

But this is no mere "Golden Age of Hollywood" film, trust me.......

 

[mb7700]

Leo McCarey directed this, the same year he directed "The Awful Truth", which won him an Oscar. But when he got up to receive the award, he said "Thanks....but you gave it for the wrong picture."

As I'm sure you know, Leo, "The Awful Truth" has a classic (if questionable in terms of authenticity) scene in which Cary Grant tickles Irene Dunne from behind with a pencil, making her laugh at odd moments.

 

[The Internet]

As I'm sure you know, Leo, "The Awful Truth" has a classic (if questionable in terms of authenticity) scene in which Cary Grant tickles Irene Dunne from behind with a pencil, making her laugh at odd moments.

In fact, I will posting it shortly, I just got a better print.

(he also got Ginger Rogers in "Once Upon A Honeymoon".)

But....this movie, "Make Way For Tomorrow".....you won't be thinking about tickling in this one, trust me. Highly, highly recommended.

 

[mb7700]

I'll have to look for it. You're right that not everything from the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is great, but at its best, it was an incredible era. More great movies came out in 1939 than have come out in the past five years, probably.

 

[The Internet]

I'll have to look for it. You're right that not everything from the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is great, but at its best, it was an incredible era. More great movies came out in 1939 than have come out in the past five years, probably.

Completely agreed. The last ten!

(but you know what i mean.......the studios would release tons of movies per year back then, they couldn't all be great!)

 

[milagros317]

Yes, Make Way For Tomorrow is a great film.
It reminds me of the saying, "One set of parents can take care of ten children, but ten children can't take care of one set of parents."

 

[The Internet]

Yes, Make Way For Tomorrow is a great film.
It reminds me of the saying, "One set of parents can take care of ten children, but ten children can't take care of one set of parents."

As if I needed another excuse to love Milagros!! 🙂 Beautifully said, and happy to know it's not just me.

 

[BlasterMaster]

Is the movie just plain sad and depressing the whole way through? Or does it have some humor and a relatively good ending at the end?

If it's the former then it's not my cup of tea.

 

[The Internet]

I'm not giving away the ending, but yes, it has warmth and humor most definitely. And is very inspiring. These people aren't old. They're young...in old bodies.

But if I tell you it's a happy or sad ending, what's the point of watching the movie? The tension is gone! In the end....it's only a movie, I can tell you that much!

Ok, no more information about "Make Way For Tomorrow". People who appreciate great work, original work, one-of-a-kind work, they'll dig it, trust me. 😉