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Young idealist Richard Miller is selected as valedictorian for his New England high-school commencement class of 1906 and intends to inject modern anti-capitalistic ideas into his speech. His father, Nat Miller, accidentally learns of it and interrupts Richards speech before he can make a fool of himself. The small town later celebrates the Fourth of July with customary fireworks and picnics. Richard spends time with his girl, Muriel McComber, who promises to allow him to kiss her one day. When he sends her love poems, quoting the likes of Omar Khayyám and Swinburne, her father forbids her to ever see him again and forces her to write a letter denouncing him. Heartbroken, Richard drowns his sorrow in a local bar, drinking and smoking with a vamp called Belle, and comes home drunk. Alcoholic uncle Sid, who is used to the effects of liquor, nurses Richard back to sobriety, but Richard must still face the uncertain punishment of his father as he worries about his future with Muriel.
Its the summer of 1906 in New England. The Miller family consists of father Nat, the practical owner of the local newspaper; loving but always worried mother Essie; and their four children: Yale student Arthur who is home for the summer; high-school graduate and class valedictorian Richard, who as also heading to Yale in the fall; and precocious teenagers Tommy and Mildred. Their lives are generally trouble-free; their largest problem is Essies brother Sid, who lives with them. His constant drinking has caused many problems in him being able to lead a productive life and to marry the woman he has always loved, Nats sister Lily, who also lives with them and who wont marry him unless he stops imbibing. He has just taken a job in Waterbury to prove himself capable without this family support, as he has always worked for Nat as a reporter. One area of growing concern is idealistic Richard, who has of late started espousing the beliefs of many who are considered anarchists. He believes he can fix all the problems of the world through such ideas. He loves Muriel, the daughter of the Millers narrow-minded next-door neighbor, Mr. McComber. In Richards eyes, Muriel is always afraid of rocking the boat, which is why Mr. McComber disapproves of Richard, who he sees as trying to corrupt his impressionable daughter. What happens to Sid and Richard independently at the July 4th celebrations ultimately affects Sids personal future with Lily, and Richards view of the world and his life as he becomes a man.
Wallace Beery
Sid Miller
Lionel Barrymore
Nat Miller
Aline MacMahon
Aunt Lily
Eric Linden
Richard Miller
Cecilia Parker
Muriel McComber
Spring Byington
Essie Miller
Mickey Rooney
Tommy Miller
Charley Grapewin
Dave McComber
Frank Albertson
Arthur Miller
Edward J. Nugent
Wint Selby
Bonita Granville
Mildred Miller
Helen Flint
Belle
Helen Freeman
Miss Hawley
Baby Peggy
Schoolgirl at Graduation
Harry C. Bradley
Undetermined Secondary Role - Scenes Deleted
Tommy Bupp
Boy with Fireworks
A.S. 'Pop' Byron
Nickolas
Bruce Cook
Boy
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