 This film distinguished itself from the 1924 adaption starring Colleen Moore because screenwriters J. Grubb Alexander and Robert Lord maintained Ferber's theme of art versus materialism.A prevailing issue in 1932, the hardship farmers faced as a result of the crashing stock market, was accurately portrayed by the film, garnering the support of the public.This, alongside a new wave of American historical films ("Abraham Lincoln", 1930; "Cimarron", 1931; "Silver Dollar", 1932) and Ferber's popularity, made the movie a success.