Trivia / A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

• Deleted Scene: According to Turner Classic Movies, Aunt Sissy had a scene where she explained to Francie and Neely what a condom was after they found it, but because of censorship requirements, it was cut out. Apparently, Joan Blondell considered the scene the best acting she had ever done on screen.
• Executive Meddling: Averted. Daryl Zanuck didn't want James Dunn cast as Johnny Nolan, as Dunn had difficulties with alcohol in real life, but Elia Kazan convinced him. Dunn ended up winning an Academy Award for his performance.
• Keep Circulating the Tapes: The movie version has had rotten luck with DVD releases. The only known official DVD release it's had is a giant collection of Elia Kazan's movies, and the problem with that is there are people who don't want to spend a bunch of money on a whole collection of movies just to get the one they want. There is a region free Korean release with the English version in tact, which is well known on Amazon, but other than the very rare airing on Turner Classic Movies, the movie has no "official" DVD release to speak of.
• Science Marches On: The eponymous tree is now widely considered annoying, invasive, and stinky, as well as a sign of abandonment and urban decay.
• What Could Have Been: Fred MacMurray lobbied for the part of Johnny Nolan.
  • Gene Tierney was originally cast as Katie Nolan, but had to drop out when she became pregnant, and Jeanne Crain was also considered.
  • Alice Faye was considered for either Katie or Sissy.