page_title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945 film)
section_title: Casting
hierarchical_section_title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945 film) / Production / Casting
caption_attribution_description: English: Publicity photo of James Dunn as Johnny Nolan in the 1945 film "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (front view)
context_page_description: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a 1945 American drama film that marked the debut of Elia Kazan as a dramatic film director. Adapted by Tess Slesinger and Frank Davis from the 1943 novel by Betty Smith, the film focuses on an impoverished but aspirational, second-generation Irish-American family living in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, in the early 20th century. Peggy Ann Garner received the Academy Juvenile Award for her performance as Francie Nolan, the adolescent girl at the center of the coming-of-age story. Other stars are Dorothy McGuire, Joan Blondell, Lloyd Nolan, Ted Donaldson, and James Dunn, who received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Francie's father.
  The screenplay was adapted for radio in 1949, for a musical play in 1951, and for a television film in 1974. In 2010, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
context_section_description: 20th Century Fox originally intended to cast Alice Faye in the lead role as Katie Nolan. As she was unavailable, Gene Tierney was called for a screen test. Ultimately, Dorothy McGuire, who was only 13 years older than the actress who played her daughter Francie, was cast in the role. The studio originally considered casting an older actress in the role of Francie, since the part was so demanding, but director Elia Kazan insisted on a child performer and Peggy Ann Garner was signed.
  A months-long talent search was launched for the part of Johnny Nolan. Phil Regan was considered for the role, but several months later James Dunn was signed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Dunn was tested twice, once at the beginning of the search, and again after all other possibilities had been abandoned and it was certain no top box office name would be available". Dunn's critically acclaimed performance turned out to be "a personal triumph" for the actor, who had not appeared in a major studio film for the past five years.
caption: James Dunn as Johnny Nolan
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