Based on Arthur Miller’s famous play, All My Sons is a semi-effective dramatic transfer to the big screen, one with an all-star cast.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
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Theatrical release poster
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Edward G. Robinson is well cast as Joe Keller, the rugged individualistic manufacturer of a company producing parts for World War II airplanes. Joe lives a good life in a small town, but his seemingly idyllic existence is shattered by the arrival of Kate Keller (Mady Christians), the fiancée of the manufacturer’s oldest son, who is missing in action.
The younger son, Chris (played by Burt Lancaster, who might have been miscast), falls in love with the girl, but her own brother is against the relationship. He holds that as a manufacturer, the father delivered defective parts to the forces.
Chris begins an investigation, which includes a visit to jail, where his father’s former partner is incarcerated. To his dismay, he discovers the awful truth, that his father’s corrupt actions were responsible for both the partner’s imprisonment and the deaths of many pilots.
Scripted by Chester Erskine, the moralistic tale ends with a bitter and tragic confrontation between father and son. Under Irving Reis’ heavy-handed helming, this is a too literal, explicitly message movie about personal duties and political responsibilities.
“All My Sons” benefits from Robinson’s intense performance, but ultimately it still feels like a play, and one in which the moralistic preaching is too blatant.
Unlike most screen versions of Tennessee Williams’ plays, for some reason, those movies based on Miller’s works, have not been very effective.
The only exception is the script that Miller wrote for John Huston’s “The Misfits,” starring Clark Gable, his ex-wife Marilyn Monroe, and Monty Clift, all rendering sincere performances.
Cast
Edward G. Robinson as Joe Keller
Burt Lancaster as Chris Keller
Louisa Horton as Ann Deever
Mady Christians as Kate Keller
Frank Conroy as Herb Deever
Howard Duff as George Deever
Lloyd Gough as Jim Bayliss
Arlene Francis as Sue Bayliss
Harry Morgan as Frank Lubey
Credits:
Directed by Irving Reis
Screenplay by Chester Erskine, based on the play All My Sons by Arthur Miller
Produced by Chester Erskine
Cinematography Russell Metty
Edited by Ralph Dawson
Music by Leith Stevens
Production and Distribution: Universal-International Pictures
Release date: May 1948
Running time: 94 minutes
Budget $2 million
