by Ted Davis

Directed by: Henry Hathaway

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: A new railroad line through the Kentucky Appalachians brings some measure of prosperity to the clannish hardscrabble Tollivers and Falins, two families that have been feuding vainly for generations. Citified ‘foreigner’ Jack Hale (Fred MacMurray), an engineer assigned to the construction project, becomes close to the Tolliver family, most particularly to free-spirited and captivating June (Sylvia Sidney), which doesn’t sit too well with forthright and determined Dave Tolliver (Henry Fonda), who regards her as his intended. But the course of true love is interrupted when the feud erupts anew with fatal and most tragic consequences.

Purr Blur: The camera pans over youngster Buddie Tolliver (Spanky McFarland) as he studies his alphabet primer stretched out in front of the fireplace, bracketed by his wonderful faithful dog (Tuffy) on his left, and his black cat to the right, which is never seen again in the movie.

Final Mewsings: If only the Tollivers and Falins could have followed the model of Buddie’s dog and cat, and lived together in both proximity and harmony.

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