"Critics of the "Motion Picture Herald" commented, "Warner has remade Edna Ferber's "So Big" for the talking screen with Barbara Stanwyck in the virile part of a typical American mother whose simple life epic is the backbone of America's greatness...The Ferber classic should not disappoint those who enjoyed the silent version..."

The film was regarded not only for its great cast and detailed adaptation of the novel, but its unusual plot line for Hollywood movies typical of that time.