After the book, I watched the film...nominated for 3 Academy Awards in 1942.Ronald Reagan was one of main charactes, his portrayal of Parris Mitchell is known as his best acting performance. It’s like discovering a lost treasure, even if the treasure, at the end, happens to be just made of cheap junk: the fun of the discovery is what remains. A massive and controversial best-seller in the early forties, Kings Row was turned into a prestige movie in 1942 (it remains one of the best Warner Bros. films of the decade) and later gave way to a literary sequel. There is a shocking quality to Kings Row that is still, today, truly potent and right on target: some things haven’t changed that much in our society. I picked it up because I was such a fan of the 1940 movie that I watched because I am such a fan of Claude Rains and Charles Coburn. Madame is a widow who runs a nursery business and is raising Parris to speak French and German as well as English. I also looked forward to reading about life choices and life narratives of the characters. Henry Bellamann gives his first hand impressions of that time, through the story of Kings Row. Bellamann never judges them. Literally felt the growth & pains of Parris, and it really touched me. Kings Row is the first novel of Henry Bellamann that I've read and enjoyed so much. Despite being a critical and commercial success on its release in 1940, leading to a film version with Ronald Reagan two years later, King's Row … and is worth 2 hours of your time.KINGS ROW was supposedly author Henry Bellamann's 'revenge' on the small American town in which he grew up. I was job hunting in 1984 and during the interview I was asked if I had a favorite project that should be produced. In 1942 Publishers' Weekly inaccurately reported that Bellamann was an author "new to the book trade" prior to the publication of Kings Row in 1940 (143:244). It is a about a town called Kings Row and the people who live in it. The time period,characters & plot captivated me beautifully with the ups/downs of the characters circumstances. Is it an unremembered masterpiece? Literally felt the growth & pains of Parris, and it really touched me. This book really makes Peyton Place seem like Utopia! So grateful it is available at last. Genre/Form: Fiction Historical fiction: Additional Physical Format: Print version: Bellamann, Henry, 1882-1945. Its small town life is very different from Sinclair Lewis' view. Kings Row. He flirts sometimes with the kind of purple prose that doesn’t really work, today, but thankfully, his talent overrules his weaknesses. Book is quite long and key sections are like the film. maybe if you’re someone who likes a story so depressing you’ll want to slit your wrists after you’ve finally finished it, then you will love this. Unlock This Study Guide Now. Capture small town life and the clearly marked lines of classes in the community. Very old book...from 1940...long but intersting in that setting was Missouri. Sigh. Interspersed throughout the book are characters' thoughts about the times they have lived through, including early pioneers memories as well as forward looking town leaders dreams for their town. The writer is also, and that is a welcome eye-opener, very frank and open about gender and sexuality. can’t say i actually enjoyed one second of this 600 page guide to depression though. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. This is definitely an unforgettable,marvelous & enchanting tale. one of the rare cases where i prefer the movie! 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