
Alice Adams
Seen it?1935 | 99 min | Romance, Drama
Why it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite little lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for people who love a story where everyone knows everyone and spy-story fans. The small-town setting is half the character. A good follow-up to The Magnificent Ambersons or What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Nobody is quite who they seem.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1935: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if romance makes you roll your eyes.
In the lower-middle-class Adams family, father and son are happy to work in a drugstore, but mother and daughter Alice try every possible social-climbing stratagem despite snubs and embarrassment. When Alice finally meets her dream man Arthur, mother nags father into a risky business venture and plans to impress Alice's beau with an "upscale" family dinner. Will the excruciating results drive Arthur away?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$770K worldwide on a $342K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 18K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
The Magnificent AmbersonsFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed small-town drama.
What's Eating Gilbert GrapeSaturday SpecialAnother romance, and a Saturday Special.
Dancer in the DarkSaturday SpecialAnother small-town drama, and a Saturday Special.
Safe HavenSunday Safe BetAnother small-town romance, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Indecent ProposalWeeknight WatchAnother romance, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by George Stevens
- Katharine HepburnAlice Adams
- Fred MacMurrayArthur Russell
- Fred StoneVirgil Adams
- Evelyn VenableMildred 'Georgette' Palmer
- Frank AlbertsonWalter Adams
- Ann ShoemakerMrs. Adams
- Charley GrapewinJ. A. Lamb
- Grady SuttonFrank Dowling
- Hedda HopperMrs. Palmer
- Jonathan HaleMr. Palmer