Set initially in a turn-of-the century village in Scotland, The Green Years is the story of an orphan, Robert Shannon, who comes to live with his extended family following the death of his outcast mother who ran away to Ireland with a man his family did not approve of.
Robert is played by Dean Stockwell as a child and Tom Drake as a young adult. The patriarch of the family is Alexander Gow (Charles Coburn) who is referred to as "Grandpa" by the family members but is a maternal great-grandfather to little Robert.
Also in the mix is Gladys Cooper as paternal Grandma Leche who is constantly butting heads with "grandpa" Alexander over the proper way to raise little Robert. Hume Cronyn plays Papa, the father of adult children, one of whom is Kate played by his real-life wife Jessica Tandy. Papa's wife is referred to as "Mama" (Selena Royle).
There are a few other family members who don't figure into the plot as much.
The Green Years has two themes that define it as a life-affirming drama. First is the idea that it always good to have supportive friends and family in your corner. As a child, Grandpa teaches Robert how to box to defend himself from bullies at school.
Later Robert's childhood schoolteacher helps him to prepare for a contest in which he attempts to win a scholarship to medical school.
The other theme is life is not easy and there are obstacles along the way. Robert's plans are dashed when he comes down with pneumonia right before the last examination for the scholarship. Even more devastating is the death of Robert's best friend who gets his foot caught on a railroad track and run over by a train.
Despite the protagonist's fortitude, The Green Years is awfully slow-moving with side plots that are hardly engaging. This is especially true of Robert's love interest Alison (Beverly Tyler) who gets to sing a few songs but does not figure into the main plot after going off to study music.
Charles Coburn is unrecognizable in his beard and is only mildly amusing as a curmudgeon and alcoholic who gives good advice to Robert.
And Hume Cronyn has a thankless role as a penny pinching civil servant who is at odds with a more well-to-do brother living in London.
After all his trials, Robert finally gets to go to medical school after Grandpa deeds him the proceeds of an insurance policy following his death. The Green Years can best be classified as "average drama" in comparison to other more successful films of its era.
Robert is played by Dean Stockwell as a child and Tom Drake as a young adult. The patriarch of the family is Alexander Gow (Charles Coburn) who is referred to as "Grandpa" by the family members but is a maternal great-grandfather to little Robert.
Also in the mix is Gladys Cooper as paternal Grandma Leche who is constantly butting heads with "grandpa" Alexander over the proper way to raise little Robert. Hume Cronyn plays Papa, the father of adult children, one of whom is Kate played by his real-life wife Jessica Tandy. Papa's wife is referred to as "Mama" (Selena Royle).
There are a few other family members who don't figure into the plot as much.
The Green Years has two themes that define it as a life-affirming drama. First is the idea that it always good to have supportive friends and family in your corner. As a child, Grandpa teaches Robert how to box to defend himself from bullies at school.
Later Robert's childhood schoolteacher helps him to prepare for a contest in which he attempts to win a scholarship to medical school.
The other theme is life is not easy and there are obstacles along the way. Robert's plans are dashed when he comes down with pneumonia right before the last examination for the scholarship. Even more devastating is the death of Robert's best friend who gets his foot caught on a railroad track and run over by a train.
Despite the protagonist's fortitude, The Green Years is awfully slow-moving with side plots that are hardly engaging. This is especially true of Robert's love interest Alison (Beverly Tyler) who gets to sing a few songs but does not figure into the main plot after going off to study music.
Charles Coburn is unrecognizable in his beard and is only mildly amusing as a curmudgeon and alcoholic who gives good advice to Robert.
And Hume Cronyn has a thankless role as a penny pinching civil servant who is at odds with a more well-to-do brother living in London.
After all his trials, Robert finally gets to go to medical school after Grandpa deeds him the proceeds of an insurance policy following his death. The Green Years can best be classified as "average drama" in comparison to other more successful films of its era.