Family Drama - The Green Promise 1948 - Walter Brennan - HD ENHANCED
Channel: Marvelous Movie Classics
Date: 2021-01-29

It tells the story of a farmer, Matthews, his son and three daughters. Leaving behind a failing farm, the family travel to pastures new. Help is proffered by agricultural county agent, David Barkley, who is immediately attracted to Matthews's eldest daughter, Deborah. Needing Deborah to run his house, and fearing David may take her away, Matthews refuses David's advice and help. He is pig-headed and sleeps through the pastor's sermon on education, understanding and tolerance. It is Susan's (Matthews's youngest daughter) yearning ambition to raise lambs. Though only ten years old, she joins the 4-H club, secures a loan from the bank and buys two lambs. She cares for them like she is a mother. Barkley strongly advises Matthews against chopping down the forest atop a hill on his land. Matthews goes ahead and sells the land to a logging company. The forest gone, a great storm comes and washes the mud down the incline towards the homestead. Fearful for her beloved lambs, Susan braves the dangerous conditions to rescue the lambs. David returns and rescues both Susan and the lambs. Deborah is atop the hill trying to move rocks in order to build a dam to save their home from the torrent of water. David arrives and pulls her back just as the land falls away. Realizing how close to harm his daughters have come because of his ignorance and selfishness, Matthews apologizes to his family and welcomes David into their home. The community of 4-H members arrive to help them clean up the land following the storm damage.

Cast:
   Marguerite Chapman as Deborah Matthews
   Walter Brennan as Mr. Matthews
   Robert Paige as David Barkley
   Natalie Wood as Susan Anastasia Matthews
   Ted Donaldson as Phineas Matthews
   Connie Marshall as Abigail Matthews
   Robert Ellis as Peter "Buzz" Wexford
   Jeanne LaDuke as Jessie Wexford
   Irving Bacon as Julius Larkins
   Milburn Stone as Rev. Jim Benton
   Geraldine Wall as Mrs. Wexford

Directed by  William D. Russell
Produced by  Monte Collins (producer)
    Robert Paige (producer)
Written by  Monte Collins (screenplay and story)
Music by  Rudy Schrager
Cinematography John L. Russell
Edited by  Richard W. Farrell
Production  RKO Radio Pictures
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release date  December 2, 1948 (Premiere-Chicago)[1]
    March 22, 1949 (US)[1]
Running time 93 minutes
Country   United States
Language  English