Back in 1936, college student Steven Bradford (James Cagney) impregnated his girlfriend, and when he refused to marry her, the little boy she bore was given up for adoption. Now, 20 years later, having gotten older and lonely, Bradford is on a quest to locate that son and, therefore, makes a trip to the small-town orphanage which handled the adoption. Used to getting his way, the wealthy businessman first begins his quest at the desk of agency director, Ann Dempster (Barbara Stanwyck), but she assures him that adoption laws are strict and that she will not break them to accommodate Mr. Bradford. For his part, Bradford maintains that the boy is his son and that no one has the right to keep him away from him...except the boy himself.
While at the agency, Steve makes the acquaintance of Susie (Betty Lou Keim), a sweet 16-year old pregnant girl. When a couple arrives at the agency to pick up the child they will be adopting, Susie is greatly affected and cannot stop weeping. Though Steve attempts to comfort the girl, she is grieved because the day of giving away her own baby is drawing near, and she knows she will never get over losing the child. Because he, too, longs for a child who was given up, Steve understands Susie's feelings, and the two of them form a father/daughter kind of relationship.
Although Steve tells Miss Dempster that he's not looking for the child to take something away from him but rather to give to him all that he has accomplished through the years, the agency director will not be swayed. She reminds Steve that the boy has parents who have raised him and that it would wrong to try to jump into his life at this late juncture. Finally, in desperation, Steve gets his lawyer (Walter Pidgeon) involved, and Ann Dempster is taken to court. However, will Steve, who has begun to like and respect that lady, allow her to be held in contempt of court for not relinquishing the records? And will Ann, who, likewise, respects and likes Steve, change her mind and reveal the whereabouts of the long-lost son? How it all plays out is the balance of the film.
First and foremost, I must say that I wish Mr. Cagney and Miss Stanwyck had made more than just this one film together. They were both terrific in dramatic roles, and I think they would have made a completely sensational team!! While Miss Stanwyck is her usual solid self here, the film really is James Cagney's, and, as always, he plays it perfectly! He was completely stellar in this role; in fact, given that he was highly out of character, I think it is actually one of his best performances. (However, being totally honest, I think Mr. Cagney always gave a "best" performance...he could well be the most brilliant actor there has ever been.) In this film, he shows a bit of a soft, vulnerable side...and he did it beautifully. I loved the interaction between him and the young girl, Susie. It's not often James Cagney plays paternal, so the opportunity to see him in that light, makes this film extra special.
Mr. Cagney and his wife were adoptive parents themselves (having adopted a son and a daughter), so I wonder if that made this film a bit more personal to him than some of his other films? Regardless, These Wilder Years is a sweet, touching, mildly heart-tugging film, which I believe all James Cagney fans will want to see.
The film is not out on DVD, and I do not believe it is on YouTube either, so it may be hard to track down. Do keep your eyes open for it, though, as I think it is a very worthwhile film.
Happy viewing!!