As the Earth Turns (1934 film)

The episodic plot, involving three farm families and marked by the seasons within a little over one year, takes place in rural southern Maine. The main character, Jen Shaw, is a young woman who has primary responsibility for her family while her father Mark deals with the hardships of farming. Despite such hardships and the complaints of her step-sister Margaret and step-mother Cora, who dream of returning to city life, Jen seems largely satisfied with her life. In contrast, Mill, the wife of Jen's unambitious uncle George, is increasingly embittered by her unhappy marriage.

In the winter, a Polish immigrant family, the Jankowskis, arrive to take possession of a nearby farm, making a home in the barn. Stan, the family's eldest son, has given up a promising future as a musician to live in the country. When the Jankowskis have a chance to move back to a city, Stan stays behind to continue farming. He and Jen are attracted to each other, but she is reluctant to accept love and winds up rejecting his offer of marriage.

After a fire destroys Stan's barn, he returns to the city to make a living as a musician and agrees to take Doris with him. Resigned to a life of loneliness, Jen continues to care for her family, but at last Stan returns and the two embrace.