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Walter Huston and Jimmy Stewart star as a father and son at odds with one another in the years preceding The Civil War. Huston’s a preacher and Stewart’s character wants to pursue the earthly profession of medicine. Beulah Bondi earned an Oscar nomination playing the mother torn between the two of them. And I’m somewhat torn about the movie. I love Huston, Stewart, and supporting player Charles Coburn. The beautiful Ohio River setting is indelible, too. But don’t care much for the Father Knows Best, Forrest Gumpiness of the thematic resolution. John Carradine makes a cameo appearance under pretty convincing makeup as Abraham Lincoln — the scene’s dumb, but the makeup’s good.

Oscar Nomination: Best Supporting Actress (Beulah Bondi)