Strangers All

I had low expectations for this one -- It looked like another garden variety 'suffering mother' weeper. Indeed it was but it was a rather well done 'suffering mother' weeper. May Robson, who has a history of hit or miss projects, acquits herself well as the beleaguered mother in question, Anna. She's got four grown kids: Murray, the eldest, is hardworking and responsible. He and his fiancée Frances run a clothing store to support the family. Dick, the aspiring actor, is immature, selfish, and petulant. The third son Lewis is a socialist crank. And the daughter Lily was seeing a local lawyer, but is away at school and not responding to her boyfriend's letters.

This movie rises on the strength of good emotional performances from Robson as the eternally sacrificing mother and William Bakewell's turn as the frankly loathsome heel of a son, Dick. Robson can go from pathetic to raging in the blink of an eye, always authentic as the mother who loves and maybe loves too much. Bakewell's sniveling manipulator does a great job of making the audience hate him.

I won't spoil the story except to say that all three sons have lives that need attention from Anna and lead into conflict with one another. The writing that leaves the path to the outcome in doubt and taut pacing makes this one engaging. Final word: Dated, and with low production values, but worth seeking out.