The Good Earth (1937)

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Based on Donald Davis and Owen Davis' stage-adaptation of Pearl S. Buck's sprawling novel, Sidney Franklin's The Good Earth is the story of a Chinese farming couple whose lives are torn apart by poverty, greed, and nature. Paul Muni stars as Wang Lung a hardworking, but poor, farmer who weds freed-slave O-Lan (Luise Rainer). They struggle to build a life together, but after finally finding success, a plague of locusts descends upon their land, bringing a true test of the couple's perseverance. For her performance, Luise Rainer won the second of back-to-back Best Actress Oscars, while cinematographer Karl Freund took home an Academy Award for his photography work. The Good Earth was the final film production of Irving Thalberg, who died before the film was completed. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Starring:: Paul Muni, Luise Rainer, (more)

Director(s):: Victor Fleming, Sidney Franklin, (more)

Format(s):: DVD, (View All Versions)

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Synopsis of The Good Earth

Theatrical Feature Running Time:: 138 mins

Complete Cast of The Good Earth

Paul Muni - Wang Lung
Walter Connolly - Uncle
Charles Grapewin - Old Father
Keye Luke - Elder Son
Harold Huber - Cousin
William Law - Gateman
Roland Got - Younger Son
Ching Wah Lee - Ching
Philip Ahn - Captain
Chester Gan - Singer in Tea House
Charles B. Middleton - Banker
Lotus Liu - Lotus

Luise Rainer - O-Lan
Tilly Losch - Lotus
Jessie Ralph - Cuckoo
Suzanna Kim - Little Fool
Olaf Hytten - Grain Merchant
Maly Wong - Little Bridee
Miki Morita - House Guest of Wang
Sammee Tong - Chinaman
Richard Loo - Farmer
Soo Yong - Old Mistress Aunt
Caroline Chew - Dancer

Director(s):: Victor Fleming, Sidney Franklin, Sidney Franklin

Writer(s):: Talbot Jennings, Donald Davis, Tess Slesinger

Producer(s):: Irving G. Thalberg, Albert Lewin

Categories:: Drama

The Good Earth Awards:

1937 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
1937 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
1937 - New York Times - 10 Best Films

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Member Reviews (2)

	Dale O.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

If you like Pearl Buck, you'll find this rendition well worth your time. Although the Chinese characters are played by Anglos and there may be some stereotyping, it appears to be an well thought out attempt to present the novel as completely as possible. Louise Rainer won an emmy for her performance as Wang Lung's wife, from a teenage (?) bride to later years as a mother with her own teenagers. Avoid one of the "shorts" that comes with the DVD... Hollywood Party is a cheesy boor.

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	Ted S.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful

For it's time, (1937 to be exact) The Good Earth is a good film. The visuals were surprisingly good for such an old film, and Luise Rainer was a real treat. If you liked the novel, or if you like Asian-themed films, check out the Oscar-winning film, The Good Earth.

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