The Green Years

The Green Years is a 1946 American drama film directed by Victor Saville and featuring Charles Coburn, Tom Drake, Beverly Tyler and Hume Cronyn. It was adapted by Robert Ardrey and Sonya Levien from A. J. Cronin's 1944 novel of the same name. It tells the story of the coming-of-age of an Irish orphan in Scotland. Plot In 1900, Robert Shannon, a young orphan, is sent to live with his grandparents in Scotland. His great-grandfather becomes the lad's mentor/father figure, helping him overcome the challenges of youth, and mollifying the cold stinginess of Robert's grandfather. The young Robert suffers life's trials, and the kind, old great-grandfather, despite given to drink and tall tales, is always there to help him rebound. In time, the intelligent Robert grows into a teenager, and comes to love his childhood friend Alison. After many twists and turns, setbacks and near misses, fate inevitably and irrevocably intervenes. He proceeds to attend medical college, attains a career, then marries his sweetheart. Cast Charles Coburn as Alexander Gow Tom Drake as Robert Shannon (as a young man) Beverly Tyler as Alison Keith (as a young woman) Hume Cronyn as Papa Leckie Gladys Cooper as Grandma Leckie Dean Stockwell as Robert Shannon (as a child) Selena Royle as Mama Leckie Jessica Tandy as Kate Leckie Richard Haydn as Jason Reid Andy Clyde as Saddler Boag Norman Lloyd as Adam Leckie Robert North as Murdoch Leckie Wallace Ford as Jamie Nigg Eilene Janssen as Alison Keith (as a child) Hank Daniels as Gavin Blair (as a young man) Richard Lyon as Gavin Blair (as a child) Henry O'Neill as Canon Roche Henry Stephenson as Blakely Norma Varden as Mrs. Bosomley Uncredited Morris Ankrum as Dr. Galbraith Jimmy Aubrey as Speller Gary Gray as Boy Making First Communion Brandon Hurst as Bookseller Mitchell Lewis as Smithy