MovieChat Forums > So Big (1953) Discussion > Has the 1953 SO BIG Ever Played on TCM?

Has the 1953 SO BIG Ever Played on TCM?

posted 15 years ago by HarlowMGM
15 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone recall seeing the 1953 remake of SO BIG in recent years (decades)? It's ironic that it kept the 1932 out of circulation for decades (in the 40s/70s whenever the remade a movie they often locked up the original to keep it from being "competition", even on television) yet this most recent version seems to be hard to locate now. I'd love to see it, judging by the 1932 movie with Barbara Stanwyck (who is excellent), this seems like a perfect role for Jane Wyman.

[–] neighturboy 15 years ago

I don't ever recall seeing in on TCM, but I did see it two or three times in the 60's. I loved it then, and still do. Wyman gives a very memorable performance, as do all the supporting players. I'd rate it right up there with her performance in "The Blue Veil". The music score by Max Steiner is also one of his best. I've suggested a DVD release at the WB Shop under their new Warner Archive release program. You might also want to register and cast your vote there. You can also suggest they show it at TCM, since it is part of the same organization that owns TCM.

[–] neighturboy 14 years ago

Received the TCM "Now Playing" schedule for May in yesterday's mail. Happy to see that "So Big" (1953) will be showing on TCM Sunday, May 9th at 8:00 pm EST. I had complained at the TCM website (after the previous post) that it wasn't even listed in their database, and that it needed to be seen again after all these years. It seems someone was listening. Thanks to whoever is responsible at TCM. Now all we need is a Warner Archive DVD-R release.

[–] Harold_Robbins 14 years ago

Haven't seen this in at least 40 years - looking forward to taping it and watching it - I don't recall too much about it, though I've also seen some of the 1932 version with Stanwyck. Edna Ferber was one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century's first half, and this was the 1925 Pulitzer Prize Novel, but if anyone knows the name Edna Ferber today, it's because of the plays she wrote with George S. Kaufman and the films made from them, and film adaptations of her novels such as SHOW BOAT, CIMARRON, and GIANT rather than the novels themselves, which are hard-to-find and out of print.

"Remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke."

[–] HarlowMGM 14 years ago

Harper Modern Classics publishing out a new edition of SO BIG in June. There's at least a couple of other Ferber novels currently in print - GIANT, SARATOGA TRUNK, etc. but she doesn't have as many as she should, having failed apparently to cross that line from "popular novelist" to "great novelist", at least among those who decide such things. She's indisputably a great storyteller, though.

[–] oldmotem 14 years ago

It just finished playing on TCM. This excellent film really sneaks up on you. Rather strange at first with the "Dutch English" dialogue rather corny at the beginning to a very interesting ending of values vs. choices in life. It seemed to bloom in the end into quite a classic picture. Wyman was perfect to carry the lead through all the changes in the lives of the main characters.

This and "A Face in the Crowd" are two pictures from the 50s that showcase values and the changes in the USofA during a time of extreme unrest (Red Scare). The shallowness and lust for greed shown in these pictures unfortunately has won out over the traditional values of the Old America.

Excellent film.

[–] HarlowMGM 14 years ago

I don't have access to TCM currently so I am really disappointed to miss this one. Did Robert Osborne's remarks before/after the film mention anything about why it has not been shown for so long?

[–] vin99 14 years ago

This played on my local TCM station last night.

Anyway i have found links to download this movie online. if anyone wants it pm me I can give u links.

[–] beauedson 14 years ago

but the shallowest and greediest character was traditional. so big's dad was strictly a bread winner, and unconcerned with artistic creation. while so big ended up more wealthy, taking a path closer to his father's than his mother would have liked him, he did have an artistic background and ended up with an artist girlfriend (much like his dad married his artistic/sensitive mom).

[–] mvpx7 13 years ago

It aired again today on TCM as part of its morning, afternoon and early evening celebration of Jane Wyman's birthday!

[–] shandy8 13 years ago

Harlow, It finished watching the William Wellman version and enjoyed it. I can't find this version anywhere. I am a big Jane Wyman fan, and I like all the movies made from Edna Ferber novels.

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] lilypad183 13 years ago

i've seen it on tcm several times, it's a great movie. it's on right now!

[–] MsLadybird99 13 years ago

It's on now.
She seems to have little in common with her husband and more with the little boy who has a crush. Pervis is like Mongo or Tarzan.

~~
You can blow the seminal prisoner class infrastructure out your ass..

[–] MsLadybird99 13 years ago

That was good. It sort of ended unexpectedly though.

This is the movie poster the TCM guy talked about.
http://jane-wyman.com/posters/so_big-1.jpg

yikes is right.

~~
You can blow the seminal prisoner class infrastructure out your ass..

[–] shandy8 12 years ago

It will be shown on TCM this month (3/2012) near the end of the month on a Monday morning. I've only ever seen the version with Barbara Stanwyk, so, as a huge Jane Wyman fan, I can't wait to finally see it!

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] MikeNTxs 8 years ago

Funny I should read this now as the 1953 version is on TCM this very moment.