Mother's Boy
Mother's Boy

Movie spotlight

Mother's Boy

1929
Movie
82 min
English

Young Irish lad Tommy O'Day lives in a poor section of New York's Lower East Side, and is blessed with a beautiful singing voice. After an argument with his father, who accuses him of stealing the family's life savings, Tommy leaves home and gets a job singing in a cabaret. He is successful and soon lands the lead in a Broadway revue. On opening night, just as he is about to go on stage, he receives word that his mother, who he has not seen since he left home, is dying and wants to see him.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: William A. SeiterGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

Young Ruth, an orphan, is taken in by the wealthy Mrs. Vander did, who is overprotective of her son, Herbert. Ruth and Herbert grow close, but Mrs. Vander did manipulates Herbert into marrying another woman. Heartbroken, Ruth leaves, only to return years later as a successful actress. She learns Herbert is now wealthy and unhappy, and she must confront the past and her own desires.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Mother's Boy' received moderate reviews, with critics generally praising Colleen Moore's performance but noting the somewhat melodramatic and predictable nature of the plot. Audiences were drawn to Moore's star power and the film's romantic themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Colleen Moore's emotional performance.

  • Plot considered somewhat formulaic and overly sentimental.

  • A strong showcase for the star's dramatic abilities.

Google audience: Information not available for this older film.

Fun Fact

The film was one of Colleen Moore's first major sound productions, marking her transition from silent films to 'talkies'.

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