MovieChat Forums > Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) Discussion > Loved this movie, but OMG (spoiler)

Loved this movie, but OMG (spoiler)

posted 9 years ago by belalugosihouse
6 replies | jump to latest

This has got to be the saddest ending I've ever seen in a movie from the 1930s (or ever!). I'm really into old movies and have watched TCM almost 24/7 for years. What happened to the "happy ending" studios tacked on in this time period (and later?) I can't believe that audiences would swallow this. Up until the ending, I just knew that somehow they would end up together. Haven't researched this movie yet, but I'm sure there must be some history with the moviemakers, ie., maybe parents who ended up in that situation...or maybe it's a Depression thing that was common and REALLY sad. If anyone has some thoughts on this, I'd appreciate it.

[–] toto24522 9 years ago

Bela -I was only able to watch the second half last night and cried my eyes out. I hope it's available on NFlix so I can watch it from the beginning.

[–] belalugosihouse 9 years ago

Me too, Toto...It really makes you invested in this couple, and what wonderful actors! This is a must-see for old movie fans, and I think it's still relevant today.

[–] Holden Caulfield 9 years ago

I recommend finding the Criterion edition dvd and watching the extras with Peter Bogdonavich and critic Gary Giddins. (About 20 minutes each.)

Briefly, if I remember correctly, director Leo McCarey's father had recently passed away, and as it happened McCarey was too sick at the time to attend the funeral. (Sick, from of all things, drinking unpasteurized milk on the set of a Harold Lloyd movie!) This experience helped inspire him to make a movie about nearing the end of life. The studio wanted a happy ending, but McCarey had the clout to make it the way he wanted.

As you guessed, audiences didn't "swallow it" so to speak. Because of it's sadness it wasn't a great financial success. But it was highly regarded by McCarey's peers in and out of the industry and did help his career.

Here's the page for the Criterion dvd:
http://www.criterion.com/films/2350-make-way-for-tomorrow
It has two film essays which I haven't read but I'm sure are worth the time.

Glancing at the first essay I see Yasujiro Ozu’s Tôkyô monogatari (1953) (Tokyo Story) mentioned. While watching Make Way for Tomorrow I couldn't help thinking of Tokyo Story and for anyone who hasn't seen it I can't recommend it more highly. The story is similar to Make Way for Tomorrow, but packs even more of an emotional punch, in part because being made nearly two decades later helped allow it to be more refined in probably every way (in my view). This isn't meant to at all put down Make Way for Tomorrow. Both are great movies.

[–] belalugosihouse 9 years ago

Thanks, Holden...what a great website for movie lovers that I didn't know about. Appreciate the info.

[–] awl7788 7 years ago

I've had tears run down my cheeks in films before, but I have never WEPT. I wept. I cried 20 minutes straight alone in my living room in the dark. This movie smacked the hell out of me and I love it. It's totally intended to not be happy and it's hinted at throughout the movie. Discussing the movie granny saw alone it was described as typical and the guy ended up with the girl in the end. At the ballroom the man announces its 9 and asks if everyone is happy and says the night is young. There are lots of hidden symbols throughout the movie and I recommend watching very closely to every bit of dialogue and even look at the backgrounds cause you might catch something important!

[–] Jennie_Portrait 7 years ago

Thanks for posting. I have this film as one of my favorites-- but people seldom seem to post about it.

This film is brilliant and heartbreaking. One of the reasons it failed receive the popularity it richly deserved is that it was just TOO HONEST for words. It made people uncomfortable. I have watched this film over and over on my computer. I finally had the opportunity to see it on the big screen a few months ago when the Museum of Modern Art showed it as part of their Leo McCarey retrospective. Afterward, I got to talk to people who had NEVER seen it before. They were equally devastated by the ending. The film is brilliant. I break into full out sobs about about three different points in the film (not to mention the ending). It's sad without being melodramatic. Everyone associated with this film was at the top of their game.

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