Overview
In a seemingly perfect small town, childhood dreams collide with dark secrets as friends grow up.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- gloomy
- melodramatic
- romantic
- classic cinema viewing
- literary adaptation night
What critics said
Aggregate reception is strongly positive, though contemporary critics criticized the film as ponderous, gloomy, and emotionally unconvincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot follows Parris, Drake, Cassandra, and other Kings Row residents as childhood relationships develop into adult crises near the turn of the century.
The apparently ideal town is gradually revealed through local secrets, social divisions, and the conduct of influential residents such as Dr. Henry Gordon and Alexander Tower.
Parris dreams of becoming a doctor while Drake plans a business career, but their hopes are reshaped by loss, inheritance, romance, and brutal revelations.
The film adapts a serious novel and emphasizes misery, maladjustment, forbidden or compromised relationships, and the disturbing character of the town.
Films like Kings Row, and why
Peyton Place
Shared small-town melodrama, coming-of-age friendships, buried social secrets, and sweeping period romance.
The Magnificent Ambersons
Shared ensemble period drama centered on a community’s private scandals, class divisions, and emotional repression.
Our Town
Shared literary small-town saga, youthful aspiration, romantic longing, and social hypocrisy.
Movie Details
- Director
- Sam Wood
- Release Date
- 1942-02-02
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (47)
Cast
- Ann Sheridan
- Robert Cummings
- Ronald Reagan
- Betty Field
- Charles Coburn
- Claude Rains
- Judith Anderson
- Nancy Coleman
- Kaaren Verne
- Maria Ouspenskaya
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kings Row about?
- A sweeping small-town saga follows two orphaned friends whose dreams, romances, and loyalties are tested by the dark secrets of their community.
- What is Kings Row like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kings Row as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Kings Row violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Kings Row as moderate.
- What did critics think of Kings Row?
- Aggregate reception is strongly positive, though contemporary critics criticized the film as ponderous, gloomy, and emotionally unconvincing.
- Which films are like Kings Row?
- Films with a similar feel include Peyton Place, The Magnificent Ambersons, and Our Town.
- How long is Kings Row?
- Kings Row runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kings Row?
- In United States, Kings Row is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
