We are only concerned with an effort to picturize these conditions.[Note: The derogatory term "Peckerwood" was possibly derived from its reversed form as ""woodpecker"" - referencing its red-headed and red-necked qualities - and implying that the enant farmers were ""rednecks"".[Note: The scenes at the racetrack were filmed at the Santa Anita Race Track, just east of Pasadena, CA in the town of Arcadia when the track was brand-new and only about 3-4 years old." As Elliott rinses his dishes out under hot water at the sink, he looks through the rising steam, longingly gazing out through the window at the sky.This film was made earlier in 1923 during the silent era with Florence Vidor.This film was the first major directing success of George Stevens and it was responsible for inaugurating his career.]The film was the number one box-office success of he year (the highest grossing film) and it won critical acclaim as well - eight Academy Award nominations and seven Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness), Best Director, Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Pierre Boulle), Best Cinematography, Best Score, and Best Film Editing.