Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie
Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie

Movie spotlight

Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie

1952
Movie
108 min
English

At the fiftieth anniversary of his town's founding, the town's first barber recalls his long-dead, spirited bride and the flaw in his own character that helped bring about her loss and several others.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Director: Henry KingGenres: Drama, Western

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Benjamin "Ben" Clifton from his youth as a small-town doctor's son to his rise as a wealthy businessman and political figure in the early 20th century. Ben's ambitions lead him to marry Nellie, a saloon singer, and later, the wealthy widow, Caroline. His pursuit of power and social standing causes him to neglect his family and compromise his principles, ultimately leading to a tragic and lonely end.

Critical Reception

Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie was met with a mixed reception from critics upon its release. While some praised its ambitious scope and David Wayne's performance, others found the narrative overly melodramatic and the pacing uneven. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the period detail and character study, while others were put off by its somber tone and moral ambiguity.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its attempt to capture a sprawling life story.

  • Criticized for its overly sentimental and sometimes plodding narrative.

  • David Wayne's performance as the ambitious protagonist was a notable highlight.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available, but general audience reception indicated a divided opinion on its dramatic content and pacing.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the novel 'The Coming of the American' by Will Irwin.

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