Expert: Mel - 11/10/2011

Question
Greetings,
My mom has been searching for the title of an old black and white film shown on Christmas eve back in 1978.  I always thought the title was "Sins of the Flesh" but I was 7 at the time and assume I am mistaken.
The movie starts in the home of a immigrant family man who has a small son who plays the violin exceptionally.  The man leaves his home and is hit over the head and robbed of his wallet.  The robber, I believe, is later killed by a train so when his body is found by the police, they assume the dead robber is the family man.  
When the family man awakens his amnesia prevents him from returning home.  When he does remember who he is, he is too ashamed to return to his family.  His son becomes a famous violinist and there is a scene showing the homeless father standing outside the music hall staring at the easel with his sons name on it.  He returns to his home and peeks in the window to see his wife has re-married and his children have all grown up.  He is standing outside in the snow watching them on Christmas eve and the movie ends. The actors had a European accent and it appeared to be filmed in the 20's or 30's.

Any Assistance in the title of this film would be truly appreciated.  
Thank you Sincerely,
Liz

Answer
Hello Elizabeth,

I've just come across your question in the "Question Pool" section of AllExperts. That's a movie from 1940 called "The Way Of All Flesh".

STORY OUTLINE: Paul Kriza (Akim Tamiroff) is a small town bank cashier, happily married to Anna (Gladys George) and the father of four children. The bank send him to New York to deliver some securities. There, he is tagged as easy-pickings by a con-game gang and Mary Brown (Muriel Angelus), a gang accomplice, proves he is. Waking up in the morning he discovers he has been robbed of the securities and, when he confronts the gang, he is hit on the head and taken out to be left on a railroad track. He comes to, struggles with the henchman and the man is killed when a train comes roaring by. Paul escapes but his watch is found and he is reported as the dead man. But he can't go home again. Ashamed to face his family, he remains in the city.


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.