Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)

Set in Wisconsin, the film follows a year in the life of Norwegian immigrants in a small farm town. There is no plot as such, it's an episodic slice of Americana seen through the eyes of a seven year old girl (Margaret O'Brien). Based on the novel by George Victor Martin and directed by Roy Rowland (HIT THE DECK). It's a well intentioned movie, the kind of film you might refer to as endearing or sweet. But I found it overly simplistic and sentimental in spite of some good performances, notably Edward G. Robinson in an atypical role as a gentle and kindly hard working farmer who dreams of having a new barn. The film has a slight socialist bent which might have been unconsciously placed by screenwriter Dalton Trumbo whose last credited film this was until 1960. The House Un-American Activities Committee caused him to be blacklisted from Hollywood for 15 years (although he continued to write screenplays under pseudonyms). 1945 audiences embraced it and the film was a big hit for MGM. With Agnes Moorehead, James Craig, Frances Gifford, Jackie Butch Jenkins, Morris Carnovsky, Sara Haden and Elizabeth Russell.