his promise, Clinton is not sure where he will get the support money for Ruth, and is anxious about his job security. He counts on his annual bonus to provide the necessary funds, but his employer is slow in paying it. Her enthusiasm restored, Ruth makes the arrangements to go to New York after graduation. On the day she is scheduled to depart, Clinton suddenly loses his job after confronting his boss about his bonus, leaving him with no money to give to Ruth. When Clinton sees that Ruth is determined to go to New York even without his monetary support, he gives her his most prized possession, his treasured spyglass from his seafaring days, to sell in New York, where his old acquaintance will buy it from her for an even larger sum than the amount Clinton originally promised Ruth. The family heads happily to the railroad station to see Ruth off. Cast Spencer Tracy as Clinton Jones Jean Simmons as Ruth Gordon Jones Teresa Wright as Annie Jones Anthony Perkins as Fred Whitmarsh (film debut) Ian Wolfe as Mr. Bagley Kay Williams as Hazel Dawn Mary Wickes as Emma Glavey Norma Jean Nilsson as Anna Williams Dawn Bender as Katherine Follets Jackie Coogan as Inopportune (uncredited) Production Director George Cukor wanted Debbie Reynolds for the lead; she was greatly disappointed when MGM executive Dore Schary decided not to cast her in the role. Reception According to MGM records, the film made $594,000 in the US and Canada and $320,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss to the studio of $965,000. It recorded admissions in France of 15,493. References External links , play on which film is based 1953 films 1953 comedy-drama films American comedy-drama films Biographical films about actors American black-and-white films Films about actors Films about theatre American films based on plays Films directed by George Cukor Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance Films set in 1913 Films set in Massachusetts Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films