MovieChat Forums > An American Tragedy (1931) Discussion > Where on earth is this film?

Where on earth is this film?

posted 18 years ago by ParaGreen
21 replies | jump to latest

Originally I watched a "Place In the Sun", the more popular version of the story, with Montgomery Cliff and Elizebeth Taylor. I found the story so engossing that I read the Drieser novel and I found that to be huge and deep and thought provoking. But I've never been able to follow that up with a screening of the original movie. I'd gladly pay to see it in the cinema somewhere. I can't find it on tape or DVD.

I feel this book was a classic. You'd think they'd show it in film classes at least, but it wasn't played where I went to school.

DMJ

[–] john-dutton 18 years ago

I too am very anxious to see this movie for several reasons. Growing up I couldn't go to the movies as often as I would like: unnecessary expense, did parents consider it "worthwhile". I had the vicarious experience of looking at the movie posters displayed in store windows which I passed on the way to school. I believe "An American Tragedy" showed concentric circles of waves which appear when something is dropped in water. Our family vacationed in an Adironcack lake not far from the lake site of the original happening. I intendend to read the book, but found its length heavy going and quit, I'm sorry to say. There must be a video tape somewhere out there if the original film survived the years since 1931.

[–] pierce-mn1 11 years ago

I just got a decent copy from Love the Classics for $15, through Amazon.com. Sylvia Sidney is my favorite actress and I really wanted to see this version. I saw the Montgomery Clift/Elizabeth Taylor version when I first got my VCR, a Beta back in the early 80s. I didn't care for it. This is much better, because the acting is so sincere. Hope more of her movies come out on dvd.

[–] donald_nerd 18 years ago

I totally agree with you! I have just read Dreiser's great novel, and I have also bought "A Place in the Sun" on DVD (but not yet seen it). I definitely want to see this version too, and it would be great to have the opportunity. Why can't it be released on DVD or cinema worldwide?

[–] mama-sama 18 years ago

I have just finished reading An American Tragedy. I MUST see the first and original film version and am working to locate it somewhere. Yes, I know I can watch "A Place In the Sun" but my thinking is that this second movie will never do the book justice. I'll probably watch it though. I see that all the character names have been changed and I don't like that much. So if and when I find the original version I will let everyone know. But, I gotta say, this book is a "must read" for anyone whatever your prefered genre. I also think it's a classic and maybe a high school required reading. Thanks

[–] fprendergast 18 years ago

Yes...a FABULOUS book. Although I think it would be tough going for a high school student. It is incredibly rich and rather lengthy. It seems that many contemporary readers don't want to invest the time it takes for a writer to develop such a complex and thought provoking story. Absolutely worth the time!

[–] ClassicMovieholic 17 years ago

Well if contemporary readers don't want to, they certainly should. Anyway, really love "A Place in the Sun" and eager to see the earlier version.

[–] overseer-3 16 years ago

The bootleg that is out there floating around is a very very bad print. You can barely make out faces except in close ups. Very disappointing.

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[–] wombat1417 16 years ago

In the mid-1980's, before cable TV arrived in NY, the local public TV station, WNET, seemed to have a great deal of access to the Paramount Pictures library and this film would pop up from time to time. I remember this as a gritter version of the story than the gloss of "A Place In The Sun", which I had already seen. In mulling it over at the time, it seemed to me that the protagonist was certainly a less attractive character in this version, so the sense of ambiguity over the death in the lake was decidedly lacking.
Perhaps TCM will have a "Salute to Sylvia Sydney" day sometime and air it.

[–] faithway 16 years ago

I just went over to the TMC site. You can vote for this movie to be release on home video. Just type in An American Tragedy and on the right side you'll see where you can vote for this film. It might be worth a try. I too wish that TMC would show this movie.

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[–] tara341 15 years ago

I saw it on channel 13 in the early 80's.I loved it.I am tring to buy it on the internet.

[–] wcuster 14 years ago

I agree with you Tara341,it is really good!Did you ever find it anywhere?

Mary-

[–] jms_blt 14 years ago

I see a lot of people here asking about this film. I collect a lot of silent and early sound films and, it took a few years, but I found a very nice print of this.

For anyone who may be interested, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I'll steer you to where I got my copy.

[–] Pmdmnym 9 years ago

I love both versions of this book. I took my chances online to buy AN American Tragedy and someone took a VHS tape and converted it to DVD. But I don't care. I love it! Its as good as A Place in the Sun.

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[–] bigB-5 9 years ago

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011JB75MY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TMPGTMTMND5O&coliid=I1XLSZ9KDQIKPJ