SYNOPSIS

Written in just five weeks, Eugene O'Neill's affectionate and witty drama AH, WILDERNESS! is not strikingly different from his tragedies; both deal with family struggles. However, this time O'Neill, in his only comedy, takes a different perspective and sees the humor in life's difficulties.

The film opens at a senior dance the night before graduation. Richard Miller is waltzing with his "best girl" Muriel McComber. As Richard walks her home, he tries to kiss her good night, but once again Muriel shies away. Frustrated, he begs her to spend the Fourth of July boating with him. Muriel agrees, although it is clear she is worried that her father won't approve of their romantic plans.

On the morning of the Fourth, Muriel's father, the grouchy and stern Mr. McComber, is angry because Richard has given Muriel a romantic poem. He orders Muriel to write a letter breaking off relations with Richard. Mr. McComber then confronts Richard's father, Nat Miller, with the letter. Nat reluctantly gives Richard the letter.

Richard, out of hurt, anger and a desperate attempt to seem grown up, agrees to meet a friend of his older brother's that evening to pick up a couple of "swift ones" at the local hotel. They arrive and Richard becomes increasingly drunk as Belle orders round after round in an attempt to seduce him. Richard, admitting he's in love with Muriel, spurns Belle's advances and staggers home after midnight.

Belle, ever the troublemaker, leaves a note at Mr. Miller's office explaining Richard's escapades the night before. Nat leaves work early to have a talk with Richard. He finds Richard lying on his bed, hung over and depressed. Embarrassed about what he needs to say, Nat struggles with a cryptic talk about "a certain class of women." Richard reassures his father that he's never been interested in carousing or "swift ones," and father and son realize they are very much alike.

That night, Muriel and Richard reconcile and Richard is awarded with his first kiss. When he arrives home, his mother worries he's been drinking again, but Nat reassures her that Richard is simply drunk with love. Richard kisses his mother, hesitates, and then kisses his father. A moment of understanding bridges two estranged generations, and Nat is filled with pride that his son has grown into an honorable young man.