Kings Row (1942)

At the dawn of the 20th century, beneath the pristine facade of a small American town, five childhood friends navigate the tumultuous transition into adulthood, with their hopes, dreams and relationships constantly in flux. Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) and Drake McHugh (Ronald Reagan), both orphaned, share an unbreakable bond, their paths diverging as they mature. Parris, fueled by passion and the allure of his sweetheart's father's profession, aspires to become a doctor. Meanwhile, Drake, the future local businessman, spends his days in the throes of romantic entanglements, waiting for his inheritance to come through. These seemingly idyllic lives are soon rocked by the revelation of deeply buried secrets, threatening the very fabric of their dreams. The provincial charm of their town betrays a dark underbelly, teeming with forbidden desires, long-suppressed family skeletons, and a prevailing air of hypocrisy and bigotry. Parris, now captivated by the nascent field of psychiatry, uses his newfound knowledge not only to grapple with his own tragic losses but also to combat the hidden vices of his hometown and aid his friends. Kings Row is a poignant exploration of the complexities of adolescence, the harsh realities lurking beneath surface-level perfection, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity. As the five friends journey into adulthood, they must confront the trials of their past and the secrets of their seemingly perfect town, all while juggling their aspirations and personal relationships.

Kings Row is a drama movie featuring Ann Sheridan and directed by Sam Wood.

It is possible to buy Kings Row on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.