this film be a veritable treasure for those who appreciate small town americana at the turn of the century . set in new england in 1906 and we see the plethora of event typical of the era represent the high school graduation with individual senior sing and recite poetry and the valedictorian speech while the fourth of july celebration with firework and picnic while the careful relationship between the young boy and girl while the close knit family life with a sister and brother of the parent live with them . i thoroughly enjoy clarence brown depiction of this lose innocent era and which produce a warm glow within me a i watch . there be very few belly laugh one i remember be when the protagonist eric linden say to his not so clever girl ( cecilia parker ) i be bear 100 year before my time and she respond i be bear 10 day before mine . but i find myself smile often at the going on . eric linden carry the film beautifully . the rest of the cast be superb represent lionel barrymore and spring byington a linden parent while mickey rooney and bonita granville a his young sibling while aline macmahon a byinton spinster sister and wallace beery a barrymore alcoholic brother . but i be particularly impressed with helen flint play the vamp who linden get involve with when he be drown his sorrow . the title and by the way and be a line from the poem the rubáiyát of omar khayyám .